Georgia Power to start loading fuel into Plant Vogtle Unit 4, test the reactor
Georgia Power declared on Friday that it will start loading fuel into the reactor core of Plant Vogtle Unit 4. Advocates say this marks a pivotal milestone toward startup and commercial operation of the second new unit at Plant Vogtle.
Vogtle Unit 3, the first newly-constructed nuclear unit in the U.S. in more than 30 years, entered commercial operation on July 31.
The start of Unit 4 fuel load comes after Southern Nuclear got the go-ahead from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, according to a news release. Southern Nuclear will operate the new units on behalf of the co-owners: Georgia Power, Oglethorpe Power, MEAG Power and Dalton Utilities.
Nuclear technicians from Westinghouse and operators from Southern Nuclear will install 157 fuel assemblies into the Unit 4 reactor core in the coming days.
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Following the fuel assemblies, startup testing will begin to demonstrate the operation of the primary coolant system, steam supply system and pressure with fuel inside the reactor.
Operators will also bring the plant from cold shutdown to initial criticality, synchronize the unit to the electric grid and systematically raise power to 100%. Vogtle Unit 4 is projected to be placed in service during late fourth quarter 2023 or the first quarter 2024.
Once Unit 4 is fully operational, each of the new units can produce enough electricity to power an estimated 500,000 homes and businesses, according to a news release.
With Unit 3 coming online last month, customers may have already noticed a rate increase on their electric bill. As Unit 4 nears operational, another rate increase is expected.
Southern Environmental Law Center staff attorney Bob Sherrier said the average $5 rate increase per month is only a portion of what customers can expect to pay, especially once Unit 4 is serving customers. Sherrier noted that a hearing will be held by the PSC to determine how much customers will pay versus Georgia Power.
Nuclear energy currently provides about 25% of Georgia Power’s overall energy mix, including the existing units at Plant Vogtle and Georgia’s other nuclear facility at Plant Hatch in Baxley.
This reporting content is supported by a partnership with several funders and Journalism Funding Funding Partners.
Erica Van Buren is the climate change reporter for The Augusta Chronicle, part of the USA TODAY Network. Connect with her at EVanBuren@gannett.com or on Twitter: @EricaVanBuren32.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Georgia Power declared that Plant Vogtle Unit 4 ready for load
