ATLANTA, June 7, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power
announced today that plant equipment for Vogtle Unit 4 is now
energized, or permanently powered, which is needed to perform all
subsequent testing for the unit at the Vogtle 3 & 4 nuclear
expansion project.
With plant equipment previously running on temporary
construction power, the achievement of initial energization marks
another step towards system operations as Unit 4 continues to
progress through its testing phase.
Earlier this year, the project team started the integrated flush
testing process on Unit 4, which 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
initiated the start of extensive testing ahead for the unit's
systems.
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 construction,
start-up and future operation of Plant Vogtle units 3 and 4 and
expected job creation. 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, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended March 31, 2021,
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; the ability to
overcome or mitigate the current challenges at Plant Vogtle Units 3
and 4 that could further impact the cost and schedule for the
project; 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