ATLANTA, Aug. 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power
announced today the latest milestone in the Vogtle nuclear
expansion – the recent placement of the first six shield building
panels for Unit 3. The safe placement of the panels follows the
heaviest "lift" of the project, the 2.28 million-pound Unit 3 CA01
module, earlier this month.
The shield building, which encapsulates the Unit 3 containment
vessel, is comprised of more than 160 individual steel panels. The
reinforced panels can weigh 10 tons or more and be filled with
concrete. Once completely assembled, the shield building will
provide structural support of the containment cooling water supply
and protect the containment vessel, which houses the reactor vessel
and associated equipment.
Other recent milestones at the Vogtle expansion site include the
Unit 4 CA04 module placement in June and concrete placement for the
Unit 3 Annex Building basemat. Georgia Power also recently
announced the completion of transmission upgrades and installations
at the site in preparation to connect the new units to Georgia's power grid.
The expansion at Plant Vogtle is part of Georgia Power's
long-term plan for providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable
energy for Georgians well into the future. Once units 3 and 4 join
the existing two Vogtle units already in operation, Plant Vogtle is
expected to generate more electricity than any U.S. nuclear
facility, enough to power more than one million homes and
businesses in Georgia.
The construction of Vogtle units 3 and 4 continues to be the
most economic choice for meeting Georgia's future energy needs. On Tuesday,
Georgia Power received unanimous verification and approval from the
Georgia Public Service Commission for its most recent Vogtle
capital and construction investment of $169
million.
Southern Nuclear, a subsidiary of Southern Company, is
overseeing construction and will operate the two new 1,100-megawatt
AP1000 units for Georgia Power and co-owners Oglethorpe Power
Corporation, the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia and Dalton Utilities. Georgia Power
owns 45.7 percent of the new units.
About Georgia Power
Georgia Power is the largest
subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), one of the nation's
largest generators of electricity. Value, Reliability, Customer
Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company's
promise to 2.4 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to
delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy at rates
below the national average, Georgia Power maintains a diverse,
innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, 21st century coal
and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric
and wind. Consistently recognized as a leader in customer service,
Georgia Power was recently ranked highest in overall business
customer satisfaction among large utilities in the South by J.D.
Power and Associates. For more information, visit
www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook
(Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower) and Twitter
(Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower).
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SOURCE Georgia Power