Clean energy for a bright future
Plant Vogtle Nuclear Units 3 and 4
We have a vision of a clean energy future and every day, we put it in motion.
Georgia Power’s Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 will be the first newly constructed nuclear units built in the United States in more than three decades. With the completion of Unit 3, we are providing customers and communities with carbon-free nuclear energy.
Advancing our Net Zero Goal
Operating 24/7/365, nuclear energy facilities produce more than half of all U.S. carbon-free electricity. Plant Vogtle will play an essential role in supporting Southern Company’s goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. When Unit 4 is complete, Plant Vogtle will be the largest carbon-free generation asset in the country.
How Carbon-Free Nuclear Energy Helps Bridge the Gap to Net Zero
With the nation’s first new nuclear reactor in thirty years having come online, an increasing number of experts view carbon-free nuclear energy as an “irreplaceable” part of the solution to climate change.
Read MorePromoting Economic Growth
A diverse energy portfolio, including carbon-free nuclear, is essential to maintaining a reliable and affordable energy infrastructure that:
- Attracts new investment
- Supports economic growth
- Creates jobs
Highlighting our Progress
On April 1, 2024, Unit 4 achieved 100% power, the maximum energy the unit is licensed to produce in the reactor core. Testing will continue to be conducted for the unit, including safely running at various power levels and operating through real-life conditions, just as it will over the next 60 to 80 years after the unit enters commercial operation.
On March 1, 2024, Unit 4 generated electricity and successfully synchronized and connected to the electric grid for the first time. Operators will now continue to raise reactor power for generation of electricity while performing tests at various power levels, ultimately raising power to 100%. Once all startup testing is successfully completed and the unit is available for reliable dispatch, Vogtle Unit 4 will enter commercial operation.
Unit 4 safely reached initial criticality on Feb. 14, 2024, a key step during the startup testing sequence demonstrating that operators have safely started the nuclear reaction inside the second reactor. A reactor achieves criticality when the nuclear fission reaction becomes self-sustaining. Achieving initial criticality is necessary to continue the startup of the unit in order to generate sufficient heat for the production of electricity. Vogtle Unit 3 entered commercial operation on July 31, 2023, and is providing safe, reliable, emission-free energy to Georgia today. The in-service date for Unit 4 is projected during the second quarter of 2024.
Owners
The Vogtle Electric Generating Plant is jointly owned by Georgia Power (45.7%), Oglethorpe Power Corporation (30%), Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia (22.7%) and Dalton Utilities (1.6%).
