ATLANTA, April 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- All modules
for Georgia Power's Vogtle 3 & 4 nuclear expansion project near
Waynesboro, Georgia, have now been
set as a massive water tank has been lifted into place atop the
Unit 4 containment vessel and shield building roof. The placement
also represents the last major crane lift at the project site.
The Passive Containment Cooling Water Storage Tank, known as
CB-20, is a major part of the AP1000 reactor's advanced passive
safety system. Standing 35 feet tall and weighing more than 720,000
pounds, the large component will hold approximately 750,000 gallons
of water ready to flow down in the unlikely event of an emergency
to help cool the reactor. The water can also be directed into the
used fuel pool, while the tank itself can be refilled from water
stored elsewhere on site.
The AP1000 plant's passive safety systems require no operator
actions to mitigate potential emergency situations. These systems
use only natural forces such as gravity, natural circulation and
compressed gas to achieve their safety function. No pumps, fans,
diesels, chillers or other active machinery are used, except for a
few simple valves that automatically align and actuate the passive
safety systems.
The modules used for Vogtle units 3 & 4 were made in advance
of arriving to the project site and ready to be assembled into
larger components that make up the nuclear units. Since 2011, major
modules were delivered to the site by rail and truck and included a
range of plant components such as floor and wall sections and
supporting structures that surround the containment buildings and
reactor vessels.
The final major module arrived at the construction site in late
2019, meaning all 1,485 major modules required to complete
construction had been manufactured and safely delivered.
Significant milestones that have been recently achieved
include:
- Unit 4 Starting Integrated Flush - This test pushes
water through the permanent plant system piping that feeds into the
reactor vessel and reactor coolant loops. Integrated flush
represents a critical step as the process is key to helping ensure
the safe startup of Unit 4 and marks the start of extensive testing
ahead for the unit's systems.
- Unit 3 Nuclear Fuel Receipt - The first nuclear fuel
assemblies for Unit 3 arrived at the site in December.
- Unit 3 Condenser Vacuum Test - The test was conducted
with the main turbine on turning gear and by operating supporting
systems to establish the condenser vacuum, which is necessary to
demonstrate the steam supply and water-cooling systems operate
together and are ready to support hot functional testing and
initial fuel load in the reactor.
- Completion of Unit 3 Cold Hydro Testing - Confirmed the
reactor's coolant system functions as designed and verified the
welds, joints, pipes and other components of the coolant system and
associated high-pressure systems do not leak when under
pressure.
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.
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