BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Feb. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- This morning at
midnight ET, operators at the Edwin
I. Hatch Electric Generating Plant safely took Unit 1 offline for a
planned refueling and maintenance outage.
The last refueling outage for Unit 1 was completed in spring
2014. Each unit at Plant Hatch requires new fuel every 24 months.
In addition to refueling the reactor and performing regular
maintenance and testing, workers will make upgrades to plant
systems and components.
"Safety is our number one focus and priority during the outage,"
said Plant Hatch Vice President David
Vineyard. "The key to a safe and successful outage is our
outstanding employees and supporting partners. I am proud of the
preparations we have made and our entire team is ready to
accomplish this refueling outage safely using our expertise and
teamwork."
Employees from across the Southern Nuclear fleet are assisting
Plant Hatch's staff of more than 900 in the refueling effort. More
than 800 additional workers from General Electric, Day and
Zimmerman, and other partners are on site performing specialized
tasks. This supplemental workforce provides economic stimulus to
surrounding communities during the planning stages and throughout
the outage.
Plant Hatch Unit 2 will continue to safely generate electricity
while Unit 1 is offline and 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
About Southern Company:
With 4.4 million customers and
more than 43,000 megawatts of generating capacity, Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is
the premier energy company serving the Southeast. A leading U.S.
producer of 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 excellent customer service, high reliability
and retail electric prices that are below the national average.
Southern Company also 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 Nuclear