ATLANTA, June 10, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power
announced today the latest milestone in the construction of Vogtle
3 & 4 near Waynesboro, Georgia
– the delivery of the final reactor coolant pump for Unit 3. The
pump, weighing 187.5 tons, or 375,000 pounds, is the last of the
four pumps to arrive for Unit 3 at the site via truck from
Curtiss-Wright Corporation in Cheswick,
Pennsylvania. Reactor coolant pumps are a critical component
of the AP1000 design as they circulate hot primary-circuit water
within the reactor.
In addition to the arrival of the reactor coolant pumps,
construction progress continues across the site including the
setting of CA03 and CA02 inside the Unit 3 nuclear island, which
completes the placement of the "Big Six" modules for Unit 3, and
the vertical completion of the Unit 4 cooling tower to a final
height of 601 feet. The company has posted the latest images of
progress at the site in the online photo gallery which includes
elevated photos of the Unit 3 and 4 nuclear islands and an updated
aerial of the construction site and a view inside the Module
Assembly Building (MAB) where the Unit 4 CA01 module is under
fabrication.
The Vogtle project is the state's largest job-producing
construction project with more than 5,000 construction workers
onsite and 800 permanent jobs once the new units begin operation.
Once all four units are online, 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