ATLANTA, April 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power
today announced that hot functional testing has begun for Vogtle
Unit 3. Hot functional testing marks the last series of major tests
underway for the new nuclear unit ahead of initial fuel load. The
testing represents a significant step towards operations and
providing customers with a reliable, carbon-free energy source for
the next 60 to 80 years.
Hot functional testing is conducted to verify the successful
operation of reactor components and systems together and confirm
the reactor is ready for fuel load. As part of the testing, the
site team will begin running Unit 3 plant systems without nuclear
fuel and advance through the testing process towards reaching
normal operating pressure and temperature.
Over the next several weeks, nuclear operators will use the heat
generated by the unit's four reactor coolant pumps to raise the
temperature and pressure of plant systems to normal operating
levels. Once normal operating temperature and pressure levels are
achieved and sustained, the unit's main turbine will be raised to
normal operating speed using steam from the plant. During these
series of tests, nuclear operators will be able to exercise and
validate procedures as required ahead of fuel load. Hot
functional testing is expected to take six to eight weeks.
Carbon-free energy source
The new Vogtle units are an
essential part of Georgia Power's commitment to deliver safe,
clean, reliable and affordable energy for customers and play a
significant role in supporting Southern Company's goal of net-zero
carbon emissions by 2050.
Once operating, the two new units at Plant Vogtle will be able
to power more than 500,000 homes and businesses. A diverse fuel
mix, including nuclear, is also essential to maintaining a reliable
and affordable energy infrastructure that attracts new investment,
supports economic growth and creates jobs.
With more than 7,000 workers on site, and more than 800
permanent jobs available once the units begin operating, Vogtle 3
& 4 is currently the largest jobs-producing construction
project in the state of Georgia.
Photos highlight progress
Follow the progress being
made at the site of the nation's first new nuclear units in more
than 30 years through the Plant Vogtle 3 & 4 Online Photo
Gallery and Georgia Power's YouTube channel.
About Georgia Power
Georgia Power is the largest
electric subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America's
premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and
Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company's promise to 2.6
million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to
delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy at rates
below the national average, Georgia Power maintains a diverse,
innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, coal and natural
gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind.
Georgia Power focuses on delivering world-class service to its
customers every day and the company is recognized by J.D. Power as
an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information,
visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on
Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), Twitter
(Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram
(Instagram.com/ga_power).
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements
Certain information contained in this
release is forward-looking information based on current
expectations and plans that involve risks and uncertainties.
Forward-looking information includes, among other things,
statements concerning the expected schedule for construction and
start-up of Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4, expected job creation and
carbon emissions reduction goals. Georgia Power cautions that there
are certain factors that can cause actual results to differ
materially from the forward-looking information that has been
provided. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on this
forward-looking information, which is not a guarantee of future
performance and is subject to a number of uncertainties and other
factors, many of which are outside the control of Georgia Power;
accordingly, there can be no assurance that such suggested results
will be realized. The following factors, in addition to those
discussed in Georgia Power's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, and subsequent securities
filings, could cause actual results to differ materially from
management expectations as suggested by such forward-looking
information: the potential effects of the continued COVID-19
pandemic; the ability to control costs and avoid cost and schedule
overruns during the development, construction, and operation of
facilities or other projects, including Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4,
which includes components based on new technology that only within
the last few years began initial operation in the global nuclear
industry at this scale, due to current and future challenges which
include, but are not limited to, changes in labor costs,
availability and productivity, challenges with management of
contractors or vendors, subcontractor performance, adverse weather
conditions, shortages, delays, increased costs, or inconsistent
quality of equipment, materials, and labor, contractor or supplier
delay, delays due to judicial or regulatory action, nonperformance
under construction, operating, or other agreements, operational
readiness, including specialized operator training and required
site safety programs, engineering or design problems, design and
other licensing-based compliance matters, including, for nuclear
units, inspections and the timely submittal by Southern Nuclear of
the Inspections, Tests, Analyses, and Acceptance Criteria
documentation for each unit and the related reviews and approvals
by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ("NRC") necessary to
support NRC authorization to load fuel, challenges with start-up
activities, including major equipment failure, or system
integration, and/or operational performance, and challenges related
to the COVID-19 pandemic; legal proceedings and regulatory
approvals and actions related to construction projects, such as
Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4, including Public Service Commission
approvals and NRC actions; under certain specified circumstances, a
decision by holders of more than 10% of the ownership interests of
Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 not to proceed with construction and the
ability of other Vogtle owners to tender a portion of their
ownership interests to Georgia Power following certain construction
cost increases; the ability to construct facilities in accordance
with the requirements of permits and licenses (including
satisfaction of NRC requirements), to satisfy any environmental
performance standards and the requirements of tax credits and other
incentives, and to integrate facilities into the Southern Company
system upon completion of construction; the inherent risks involved
in operating and constructing nuclear generating facilities; the
ability of counterparties of Georgia Power to make payments as and
when due and to perform as required; the direct or indirect effect
on Georgia Power's business resulting from cyber intrusion or
physical attack and the threat of physical attacks; catastrophic
events such as fires, earthquakes, explosions, floods, tornadoes,
hurricanes and other storms, droughts, pandemic health events,
political unrest or other similar occurrences; and the direct or
indirect effects on Georgia Power's business resulting from
incidents affecting the U.S. electric grid or operation of
generating or storage resources. Georgia Power expressly disclaims
any obligation to update any forward–looking information.
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SOURCE Georgia Power