BIRMINGHAM, Ala., March 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Unit 2 of the
Edwin I. Hatch Electric Generating Plant near Baxley, Ga., has safely resumed generating
electricity following completion of a scheduled refueling and
maintenance outage.
Plant operators safely took the unit offline on Feb. 9. Electricity production resumed on
Saturday, March 14 at 7:08 p.m. ET. As Unit 2 returns to full power,
operators will perform a sequence of fuel rod pattern adjustments.
Fuel rod pattern adjustments are required in boiling water reactors
following deep down powers and outages to ensure the most efficient
use of nuclear fuel.
In addition to refueling the reactor and performing regular
maintenance and testing, workers made upgrades to plant systems and
components to enhance efficiency and reliability.
"Safety is our top priority, and our team is to be commended for
completing this outage safely and efficiently," said Plant Hatch
Vice President David Vineyard. "The
work we perform during our outages is a significant investment in
our facility. Unit 2 is positioned not just for the next 24 months,
but for years of continued safe and reliable electricity
production."
Employees from across the Southern Nuclear fleet assisted
Hatch's staff of more than 900 in the refueling effort.
Approximately 1,500 additional workers from General Electric,
Williams, Westinghouse and AREVA and other partners performed
specialized tasks. These supplemental workers provided economic
stimulus to surrounding communities during their stay in the
area.
The last refueling outage for Unit 2 was completed in spring
2013. Hatch Unit 1 continued to safely generate electricity while
Unit 2 was offline for the refueling.
About Southern Nuclear:
Southern Nuclear, a subsidiary
of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), is one of the nation's leading
nuclear energy facility operators. Producing safe, reliable and
environmentally friendly nuclear energy, Southern Nuclear operates
a total of six units for Alabama Power and Georgia Power at the
Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant near Dothan, Ala.; the Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Plant
near Baxley, Ga., and the Alvin W.
Vogtle Electric Generating Plant near Waynesboro, Ga. Southern Nuclear is the
licensee of two new nuclear units currently under construction at
Plant Vogtle, which will be the first nuclear units constructed in
the United States in more than 30
years. Southern Nuclear employs more than 3,500 skilled and
dedicated professionals who are committed each day to nuclear and
personal safety and the health and safety of the public. The
company's headquarters is based in Birmingham, Ala.
Twitter: @SouthernNuclear; Facebook:
facebook.com/southernnuclear;
www.southerncompany.com/southernnuclear.
About Southern Company:
With more than 4.4 million
customers and nearly 46,000 megawatts of generating
capacity, Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is the
premier energy company serving the Southeast through its
subsidiaries. A leading U.S. producer of clean, safe, reliable and
affordable electricity, Southern Company owns electric utilities in
four states and a growing competitive generation company, as well
as fiber optics and wireless communications. Southern Company
brands are known for energy innovation, excellent customer service,
high reliability and retail electric prices that are below the
national average. Southern Company and its subsidiaries are leading
the nation's nuclear renaissance through the construction of the
first new nuclear units to be built in a generation of Americans
and are demonstrating their commitment to energy innovation through
the development of a state-of-the-art coal gasification plant.
Southern Company has been recognized by the U.S. Department of
Defense and G.I. Jobs magazine as a top military
employer, listed by DiversityInc as a top company for Blacks and
designated a 2013 Top Employer for Hispanics by Hispanic Network.
The company received the Edison Award from the Edison Electric
Institute for its leadership in new nuclear development, was named
Electric Light & Power magazine's Utility of the Year for 2012
and is continually ranked among the top utilities in Fortune's
annual World's Most Admired Electric and Gas
Utility rankings. Visit our website
at www.southerncompany.com.
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SOURCE Southern Company