Nuclear Power Development

Nuclear power is re-emerging as a viable way to meet new demand for electricity with the added benefit of no air emissions, including CO2.

Southern Company is a member of NuStart, a nuclear technology energy consortium comprised of power generation companies and reactor vendors. The group is pursuing a new combined construction and operating license process and advancing new nuclear technologies. Southern Company is moving to make nuclear power an option to meet growing demand for electricity by 2015-2016.

Hyperbolic cooling towers frame Plant Vogtle, near Waynesboro, Ga.

New nuclear power plant designs are safe, efficient, and simpler than current models.

In August 2006, Southern Company filed an application with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for an Early Site Permit for new units at Plant Vogtle, located near Waynesboro, Georgia. The permit will allow the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to review and pre-approve the plant site for future construction of new nuclear units and allow Southern Company to conduct design, construction, and other site-specific evaluations before we make the decision to build. We also would need approval from the Georgia Public Service Commission before making a final decision to build the new units.

We have proposed the light-water Westinghouse AP1000 reactors for new units at Plant Vogtle. More than 28 new nuclear plants are under construction in 10 countries around the world — almost all using U.S. light-water reactor technology. The new reactors are safe, efficient, and simpler than current models.

Top Industry Practice

The Nuclear Energy Institute awarded Southern Nuclear its Top Industry Practice Award for Plant Farley’s cooling tower replacement project in 2004, for Plant Vogtle’s safer and more accurate alignment tools in 2005, and Plant Farley’s vessel head testing program in 2006. Plants Hatch, Vogtle, and Farley are all certified by the Wildlife Habitat Council for conservation efforts.