Georgia Power's new Vogtle units approximately 87% complete

Rhea-AI Summary

Georgia Power reported that the Vogtle nuclear expansion project is now approximately 87% complete, with in-service dates set for November 2021 for Unit 3 and November 2022 for Unit 4. The company achieved critical testing milestones for Unit 3, including closed vessel testing and successful completion of the final module placement. More than 7,000 workers are currently on site, with over 800 permanent jobs expected once operations begin. Georgia Power emphasizes that safety and quality remain top priorities amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Positive

• Project is 87% complete.
• Critical testing milestones achieved for Unit 3.
• Over 7,000 workers on site, with 800 permanent jobs expected.

Negative

• Potential delays due to COVID-19 effects on supply chains and labor.
• Risks of cost overruns during development and construction.
• Uncertain regulatory approvals could impact timelines.

ATLANTA, Aug. 31, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power today announced in a filing with the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) that the target in-service dates for the Vogtle nuclear expansion project remain November 2021 for Unit 3 and November 2022 for Unit 4. The company also reported the project is now approximately 87% complete, as significant progress continues to be made at the site.

Georgia Power's 23^rd Vogtle Construction Monitoring (VCM) Report filing covers the period January 1, 2020 through June 30, 2020 and can be found here.

Keeping safety and quality the top priority, the project continues to accomplish major milestones despite the COVID-19 pandemic. This summer, the project completed a series of critical tests as the site continues to transition from construction towards system operations.

Critical tests achieved
Recently, the site completed closed vessel testing for Unit 3, which prepares the unit for cold hydro testing ahead of hot functional testing, and ultimately initial fuel load. Closed vessel testing verifies the pipes and valves in the Unit 3 reactor coolant system were installed as designed and helps ensure safety systems function properly.

The site also completed the structural integrity test and integrated leak rate test on Unit 3. These tests were completed in succession and demonstrated the containment vessel meets construction quality and design requirements.

Additional 2020 key milestones achieved, include:

• Placement of the final module for Unit 3 – The water tank that sits atop the containment vessel and shield building roof, known as module CB-20, is a major part of the AP1000 reactor's advanced safety system and will hold approximately 750,000 gallons of water ready to flow down in the unlikely event of an emergency to help cool the reactor.
• Placement of the Unit 3 integrated head package (IHP) atop the reactor vessel – Standing 48 feet tall, weighing 475,000 pounds and containing more than three miles of electrical cables, the IHP will eventually be used by highly-trained nuclear operators to monitor and control the nuclear reaction that will occur inside the Unit 3 reactor vessel.
• Completion of Open Vessel Testing for Unit 3 – This successfully demonstrated how water flows from the key safety systems into the reactor vessel ensuring the paths are not blocked or constricted, and confirmed the pumps, motors, valves, pipes and other components of the systems function as designed.
• Placement of the polar crane and containment vessel top for Unit 4 – This signifies that all major lifts inside the containment vessels for both units are now complete.

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.

VCM process
The company files a VCM report to provide the PSC a detailed update on progress and other information related to the construction of the nation's only new nuclear units. The VCM process includes public hearings held at the PSC, as well as reports filed by the PSC staff's independent construction monitor.

New construction photos highlight continued progress
Georgia Power has released new photos of the nation's only new nuclear units currently under construction. Follow the progress being made at the site with the Plant Vogtle 3 & 4 Online Photo Gallery.

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 consistently recognized by J.D. Power and Associates 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 target in-service dates for and construction 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, 2019, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020, and subsequent securities filings, could cause actual results to differ materially from management expectations as suggested by such forward-looking information: the continued effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including extended disruptions to supply chains and further reduced labor availability and productivity, which could have a variety of adverse impacts, including a negative impact on the ability to develop, construct, and operate facilities, including, but not limited to, Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4; 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, and including 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, 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; the ability to overcome or mitigate the current challenges at Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4, including, but not limited to, those related to COVID-19, 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 or other similar occurrences; and the direct or indirect effects on Georgia Power's business resulting from incidents affecting the U.S. electric grid, natural gas pipeline infrastructure, 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

FAQ

What is the completion status of the Vogtle project as of August 2020?

As of August 2020, the Vogtle nuclear expansion project is approximately 87% complete.

What are the target in-service dates for Vogtle Units 3 and 4?

Vogtle Unit 3 is targeted for in-service in November 2021, and Unit 4 in November 2022.

What significant milestones were achieved for Unit 3 in the Vogtle project?

Significant milestones include closed vessel testing and the completion of the final module placement.

How many workers are currently on site at the Vogtle project?

More than 7,000 workers are currently on site for the Vogtle project.

What risks could delay the Vogtle nuclear project?

COVID-19 could affect supply chains and labor availability, leading to potential delays.