The first nuclear fuel shipment has been delivered for one of two new units under construction at Plant Vogtle.
Georgia Power said Wednesday that the shipment “marks a major step” for the expansion project at the nuclear power plant in Burke County, south of Augusta.
“Since the start, the Vogtle expansion project has been an investment in our energy future. Today, as we receive our first nuclear fuel shipment, we remain committed to realizing the benefits this project will provide not only to our customers, but also our state and our country,” said Paul Bowers, chairman and CEO of Georgia Power. “Achieving this historic milestone brings us closer to fuel load expected in April 2021, and, once online, these new nuclear units will provide clean, carbon-free energy for the next 60 to 80 years.”
With more than 7,000 workers on-site, and more than 800 permanent jobs available when the units come online, Vogtle 3 and 4 is considered the largest jobs-producing construction project in the state of Georgia.
The Vogtle project is considered a major contributor to the Augusta area’s economic health, according to a recent forecast from the University of Georgia Terry College of Business.
In a filing with the Georgia Public Service Commission in October, Georgia Power announced the completion of other construction milestones ahead of the next phase at Vogtle: hot functional testing. The series of tests is considered the final critical step before fuel is loaded and the new reactor is put into operation.
The step provides welcomed news for Georgia Power amid a project that has been beset with delays and cost overruns.
The trade publication Engineering News-Record reported earlier this month that project monitors are skeptical that the project will not meet its first in-service deadline of November 2021 for new nuclear Units 3 and 4, according to testimony submitted to the PSC on Nov. 24.
Georgia Power spokesman Jeffrey Wilson said late Wednesday that the total project capital cost forecast remains unchanged.
“Significant progress continues to be made at the Vogtle 3 and 4 nuclear expansion site with Vogtle Unit 3 construction approximately 96% complete and the total Vogtle 3 and 4 expansion project approximately 89% complete,” Wilson said. “Georgia Power continues to expect to meet its commitment to achieve the regulatory-approved in-service dates for both units, November 2021 for Unit 3 and November 2022 for Unit 4.”
Once operating, the two new units at Plant Vogtle will be able to power more than 500,000 homes and businesses.