ATLANTA, May 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power
today announced the placement of more than 760 tons of major
components within the turbine island for Vogtle Unit 3 –
the stator assembly and the deaerator. The stator assembly,
which includes the stator and the stator housing, weighs more than
460 tons. The component was constructed in Japan and represents two of the four major
subcomponents of the main generator. The stator is a
stationary component of the main generator that works together with
the rotor and exciter to generate electricity. The main generator
for Plant Vogtle Unit 3 will have a total energy output of 1,117
megawatts and provide enough carbon-free energy to serve hundreds
of thousands of Georgia Power customers.
The 303-ton deaerator, developed in South Korea, is nearly 145 feet long and
approximately 20 feet high and is one of the largest single pieces
of equipment to be installed in the turbine building. The deaerator
serves as a purification system for feedwater, removing minerals
and other deposits, reducing plant maintenance and operating costs
and preventing corrosion. Both pieces were lifted into place by the
heavy lift derrick, one of the largest cranes in the world.
In addition to the recent placements, progress continues
throughout the site with multiple milestones achieved within
the last 30 days. Other major, recent construction achievements
include the safe placement of six new shield building panels for
Unit 3, delivery of the first of eight reactor coolant pumps and
continued progress on the Unit 4 cooling tower which is nearing a
completed height of 601 feet. The company recently uploaded new
images of these milestones and other work at the site over the last
30 days at the company's online photo gallery. Additionally, a new
flyover of the Unit 3 Nuclear Island is available on
the Georgia Power YouTube Channel.
Expanding Plant Vogtle is part of Georgia Power's long-term plan
to provide safe, clean, reliable and affordable energy to meet the
growing energy needs of Georgia.
The Vogtle expansion is the largest construction project in
Georgia with more than 5,000
workers onsite today and 800 permanent future jobs. When the new
units join the existing two 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.
The projected overall peak rate impact of the Vogtle nuclear
expansion continues to be significantly less than when the project
was originally certified due to lower financing rates, other
benefits the company has proactively pursued and the fuel savings
of nuclear. The company projects that, even with the new
costs and schedule forecast, the peak rate impact will be
approximately 6 to 7 percent – which is nearly half of the original
rate impact forecast. Of this, approximately 4.5 percent is already
in rates. Once the new units come online, they are expected to put
downward pressure on rates and deliver long-term savings for
Georgia customers.
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 2.5
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,
statements concerning job creation, the expected impact on customer
rates, and completion of construction of Plant Vogtle Units 3 and
4. 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, 2015, 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 generating
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 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