Georgia Power completes cold hydro testing at Vogtle Unit 4 nuclear plant
Georgia Power completed cold hydro testing for Vogtle Unit 4 at the nuclear expansion project near Waynesboro, Ga.
The cold hydro testing on Unit 4 confirmed the reactor’s coolant system functions as designed. It also verified the welds, joints, pipes, and other components of the coolant system and associated high-pressure systems do not leak when under pressure.
The cold hydro testing process is required to support the last major test remaining for Unit 4, hot functional testing. That test is projected to commence by the end of the first quarter of 2023.
“The team at the Vogtle 3 & 4 site continues to make important progress as we move closer to bringing online the first new nuclear units to be built in the country in over 30 years. Completion of cold hydro testing on Unit 4 is another critical milestone along the path to get us there,” Chris Womack, chairman, president and CEO of Georgia Power, said. “These units are a long-term investment for our state and essential to building the future of energy for Georgia. For the next 60 to 80 years, they will help us continue to provide clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy for our customers, serving generations of Georgians as clean, emission-free sources of energy.”
As part of the testing, the reactor coolant system was filled with water and pressurized above-normal operating conditions, then lowered to normal design pressure while inspections were conducted to verify that the systems meet design standards.
This is the latest major milestone for the facility. In November, the closed vessel testing (CVT) process was completed, verifying that the pipes and valves in the Unit 4 reactor coolant system are installed as designed.
The new Vogtle units are an essential part of Georgia Power’s commitment to delivering clean, safe, reliable, and affordable energy to its 2.7 million customers. Once operating, the two new units are expected to power more than 500,000 homes and businesses. Georgia Power is a subsidiary of the Southern Company.
