ATLANTA, Feb. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power
announced today the latest milestone at the Vogtle nuclear
expansion – the recent placement of eight new shield building
panels for Unit 3. The placement of the new shield building panels
follows the placement of the initial six panels for Unit 3 in
August 2015.
The shield building, which encapsulates the Unit 3 containment
vessel, is comprised of more than 160 individual steel panels. The
reinforced individual panels can weigh 10 tons or more and be
filled with concrete. Once fully 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.
Now more than 60 percent complete based on contractual
milestones, progress continues at the Vogtle site every day. Major
milestones completed in 2015 included the placement of the
1,140-ton CA01 module for Unit 3, the placement of the 950-ton
lower ring for Unit 4 and more than 26,000 total cubic yards of
concrete.
The projected overall peak rate impact of the Vogtle nuclear
expansion is significantly less than when the project was
originally certified. The project's remaining projected customer
rate impact is still approximately 2.5 percent, an average of less
than 1 percent per year through the expected completion date of
2020. Once the new units come online, they are expected to put
downward pressure on rates and deliver long-term savings for
Georgia customers.
Follow the Action
Click here to watch a
time-lapse video of one of the massive shield building panels being
lifted into place by one of the world's largest cranes.
Click here to visit the online Vogtle 3 & 4 photo gallery,
updated every month with the latest photos of the
project.
What Vogtle Means to Georgia
The expansion at Plant
Vogtle is part of Georgia Power's long-term, strategic plan for
providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable energy for
Georgians. Once units 3 and 4 join the existing two Vogtle units
already in operation, Plant Vogtle is expected to generate more
electricity than any other U.S. nuclear facility, enough to power
more than one million homes and businesses. Southern Nuclear is
overseeing construction and will operate the new units on behalf of
Georgia Power, which owns 45.7 percent of the facility, and
co-owners Oglethorpe Power Corporation, the Municipal Electric
Authority of Georgia and Dalton
Utilities.
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. Georgia Power focuses on delivering
world-class service to its customers every day and the company is
consistently recognized by J.D. Power and Associates as an industry
leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit
www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook
(Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower) and Twitter
(Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower).
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements
Certain information contained in this
release is forward-looking information based on current
expectations and plans that involve risks and uncertainties.
Forward-looking information includes, among other things, the
anticipated schedule for completion of Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4,
and the expected impact on customer rates. Georgia Power cautions
that there are certain factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from the forward-looking information that has
been provided. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on
this forward-looking information, which is not a guarantee of
future performance and is subject to a number of uncertainties and
other factors, many of which are outside the control of Georgia
Power; accordingly, there can be no assurance that such suggested
results will be realized. The following factors, in addition to
those discussed in Georgia Power's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, and
subsequent securities filings, could cause actual results to differ
materially from management expectations as suggested by such
forward-looking information: the impact of recent and future
federal and state regulatory changes, as well as changes in
application of existing laws and regulations; current and future
litigation, regulatory investigations, proceedings, or inquiries;
available sources and costs of fuels; the ability to control costs
and avoid cost overruns during the development and construction of
facilities, which includes the development and construction of
facilities with designs that have not been finalized or previously
constructed; state and federal rate regulations and the impact of
pending and future rate cases and negotiations, including rate
actions relating to fuel and other cost recovery mechanisms; the
ability to construct facilities in accordance with the requirements
of permits and licenses, to satisfy any environmental performance
standards and the requirements of tax credits and other incentives,
and to integrate facilities into the Southern Company system upon
completion of construction; advances in technology; legal
proceedings and regulatory approvals and actions related to Plant
Vogtle Units 3 and 4, including Georgia Public Service Commission
approvals and Nuclear Regulatory Commission actions and related
legal proceedings involving the commercial parties; and the ability
of counterparties of Georgia Power to make payments as and when due
and to perform as required. Georgia Power expressly disclaims any
obligation to update any forward-looking information.
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SOURCE Georgia Power