Nuclear Development in Georgia

Although no new nuclear plants have been constructed since the 1980s, recent actions by Congress and the federal government to encourage more nuclear development could mean a revival of this important power generating option.
    Plans are under way to expand the Alvin W. Vogtle nuclear plant near Waynesboro, Ga., from its current two units to four units. Oglethorpe Power holds a 30 percent interest in the current Vogtle plant and has committed to own that same 30 percent interest in the two additional units. 
    In 2006, Southern Nuclear Operating Company, on behalf of Plant Vogtle’s co-owners, filed an application with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for an early site permit to explore the potential of these new units. This action was followed by an application to the NRC for combined construction permits and operating licenses for the two units.  The NRC granted the early site permit, along with a limited work authorization, in 2009.  The proposed commercial operation dates are 2016 and 2017.
    The two new Vogtle units would use two Westinghouse AP 1000 nuclear units with a generating capacity of about 1,100 megawatts (MW) each. The “advanced passive” design of this technology, which was pre-approved by the NRC, will make these units more efficient, reliable and less complicated than the previous generation of nuclear power plants, which, themselves, have an excellent track record for safety and operation.
    In early 2010, Oglethorpe Power was notified by the U.S. Department of Energy that is its being offered a conditional commitment for up to $3 billion in federal loan guarantees to help fund its participation in Units 3 and 4 of Plant Vogtle.