Georgia Power begins fuel load for first new U.S. nuclear units in 30+ years
Georgia Power on Oct. 14 began loading nuclear fuel into its Vogtle Unit 3 reactor core, a major milestone for the first nuclear units to be built domestically in more than 30 years.
The unit is one of a pair – Vogtle 3 and 4 – being built at Plant Vogtle near Waynesboro, Georgia. Fuel load at Unit 3 began after the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) signed off on a 103(g) finding in August, certifying the unit was constructed and would operate according to Combined License and NRC regulations. Currently, the new unit is expected to enter service in the first quarter of 2023.
“The Vogtle 3 & 4 nuclear units represent a critical, long-term investment in our state’s energy future, and the milestone of loading fuel for Unit 3 demonstrates the steady and evident progress at the nuclear expansion site,” Chris Womack, chairman, president and CEO of Georgia Power, said. “These units are important to building the future of energy and will serve as clean, emission-free sources of energy for Georgians for the next 60 to 80 years.”
After the 157 fuel assemblies are fed into Unit 3 reactor core, startup testing will begin. This will demonstrate the capabilities of the primary coolant and steam supply systems at design temperature and pressure with fuel inside the reactor. Under the management of Southern Nuclear, which will maintain operations for co-owners Georgia Power, Oglethorpe Power, MEAG Power and Dalton Utilities, before full operation the plant will also be taken from cold shutdown to initial criticality. Operators will also synchronize the unit to the electric grid and power will be gradually raised to full capacity.
According to Georgia Power, the plant’s new units should power more than 500,000 homes and businesses once operational.
