Long-awaited Plant Vogtle reactor finally sending nuclear energy to Jacksonville

Hanna Holthaus, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union
·1 min read
Two new reactors at the Plant Vogtle nuclear plant in Georgia will come online in late 2021 and late 2022. JEA will get 13 percent of its power from Plant Vogtle. JEA tried to void that power-purchase contract but settled the lawsuit.
Two new reactors at the Plant Vogtle nuclear plant in Georgia will come online in late 2021 and late 2022. JEA will get 13 percent of its power from Plant Vogtle. JEA tried to void that power-purchase contract but settled the lawsuit.

Nuclear power began flowing onto the JEA grid Monday morning – 15 years after the city-owned utility signed a contract with producer, Plant Vogtle.

Unit 3, one of the two reactors expected to serve the area, is the first operational unit built in the country in 40 years, a spokesperson for the company said, and is expected to help JEA reach its clean energy goals.

“Energy from Plant Vogtle ensures we will continue to have a diversified portfolio, helping to assure both reliability, resiliency and a new source of zero-emissions electricity,” Karen McAllister, director of JEA media relations, said in a news release.

Clean energy goals: JEA stakes out clean energy plan in a water-borne region at risk from global warming

Cost overrun: Plant Vogtle owners asked to cap costs

The long-awaited announcement came after years of delays, a lawsuit and millions in cost overruns for the utility.

JEA set a nonbinding goal earlier this year of having 35% of its power come from clean energy sources by 2030, an increase from the previous 30% goal set in 2017.

JEA only received about 1% of its electricity from clean energy in 2022, putting a spotlight on upcoming goals for the utility. Along with the Plant Vogtle reactors, JEA has continued eyeing solar farms and a natural gas plant.

The Georgia-based Plant Vogel is expected to have a second reactor, Unit 4, “not far behind,” JEA confirmed. A projected date was not set, but Southern Company, part owner of Plant Vogtle, previously said it expected operation in late 2023 or early 2024.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: JEA confirms Plant Vogtle Unit 3 sends nuclear energy to Jacksonville