Georgia Power begins fuel load phase of Vogtle Unit 4
Georgia Power has begun the process of loading fuel into the Vogtle Unit 4 reactor core at Plant Vogtle near Waynesboro, Ga.
This marks a pivotal milestone toward startup and commercial operation of Unit 4 – the second new unit at Plant Vogtle. On July 31, Vogtle Unit 3 – the first newly-constructed nuclear unit in the U.S. in more than 30 years – entered commercial operation. Vogtle Unit 4 is projected to be placed into operation late in the fourth quarter of 2023 or the in the first quarter 2024.
As part of the Unit 4 fuel load process, nuclear technicians from Westinghouse and operators from Southern Nuclear are scheduled to safely install 157 fuel assemblies into the Unit 4 reactor core.
After that, startup testing will begin. It is designed to demonstrate the integrated operation of the primary coolant system and steam supply system at design temperature and pressure with fuel inside the reactor. Also, operators will bring the plant from cold shutdown to initial criticality, synchronize the unit to the electric grid; and systematically raise power to 100 percent.
The Unit 4 fuel load comes after Southern Nuclear received the 103(g) finding from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in July. This signified that the new unit has been constructed and will be operated in conformance with the Combined License and NRC regulations.
The two new Vogtle units are an essential part of Georgia Power’s commitment to delivering clean energy to its 2.7 million customers. Once operating, each of the new units can produce enough electricity to power an estimated 500,000 homes and businesses.
Southern Nuclear will operate the units on behalf of the co-owners — Georgia Power, Oglethorpe Power, MEAG Power and Dalton Utilities.
