BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Feb. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Unit 2 of the Edwin
I. Hatch Electric Generating Plant near Baxley, Georgia, has safely resumed generating
electricity following completion of a scheduled refueling and
maintenance outage, setting a record of just 21 days and two hours
for both the plant and the Southern Nuclear fleet.
Plant operators safely took the unit offline Feb. 6 at midnight
ET. Electricity generation resumed Monday, Feb. 27, at 2:09
a.m. ET.
In addition to refueling the reactor and performing regular
maintenance and testing, workers made upgrades to plant systems and
components to enhance efficiency and reliability.
"Safety is our top priority, and our team is to be commended for
completing this outage safely, efficiently and in record time,"
said Plant Hatch Vice President David
Vineyard. "The work we perform during our outages is a
significant investment in our facility. Unit 2 is positioned not
just for the next 24 months, but for years of continued safe and
reliable electricity production."
Employees from across the Southern Nuclear fleet assisted
Hatch's staff of more than 900 in the refueling effort.
Approximately 800 additional workers from General Electric, Day and
Zimmerman and other partners performed specialized tasks. These
supplemental workers also provided economic stimulus to surrounding
communities during their stay in the area.
The last refueling outage for Unit 2 was completed in spring
2015. Hatch Unit 1 continued to safely generate electricity while
Unit 2 was offline for the refueling.
About Southern Nuclear:
Southern Nuclear, a subsidiary
of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), is a leader among the nation's
nuclear energy facility operators and an innovator in advanced
nuclear technologies. Southern Nuclear is an essential part of
Southern Company's energy portfolio, and its importance will
continue to grow as America transitions to a low-carbon energy
future. While the company produces clean, safe and reliable nuclear
energy, it's also an economic engine powered by quality jobs and
community service. 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 that are among the first nuclear units
being constructed in the United
States in more than 30 years. Southern Nuclear received
numerous accolades in 2016 for leadership in the advancement of
nuclear energy including the Special Achievement Award by the
United States Nuclear Infrastructure Council and the Presidential
Citation by the American Nuclear Society. Southern Nuclear also
received two of the Nuclear Energy Institute's Top Innovative
Practice awards and special recognition for achieving excellence in
research and performance. Southern Nuclear's Plant Hatch received
the ANS Operations & Power Division's Utility Achievement Award
for plant improvements that resulted in a record-setting refueling
outage duration. The company's headquarters is in Birmingham, Ala.
Twitter: @SouthernNuclear; Facebook:
facebook.com/southernnuclear; www.southernnuclear.com
About Southern Company:
Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is
America's premier energy company, with 44,000 MW of generating
capacity and 1,500 billion cubic feet of combined natural gas
consumption and throughput volume serving 9 million electric and
gas utility customers through its subsidiaries. The company
provides clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy through
electric utilities in four states, natural gas distribution
utilities in seven states, a competitive generation company serving
wholesale customers across America and a nationally recognized
provider of customized energy solutions, as well as fiber optics
and wireless communications. Southern Company brands are known for
excellent customer service, high reliability and affordable prices
that are below the national average. Through an industry-leading
commitment to innovation, Southern Company and its subsidiaries are
inventing America's energy future by developing the full portfolio
of energy resources, including carbon-free nuclear, 21st century
coal, natural gas, renewables and energy efficiency, and creating
new products and services for the benefit of customers. Southern
Company has been named by the U.S. Department of Defense and
G.I. Jobs magazine as a top military
employer, recognized among the Top 50 Companies for Diversity by
DiversityInc, listed by Black Enterprise magazine as one of the 40
Best Companies for Diversity and designated a Top Employer for
Hispanics by Hispanic Network. The company has earned a National
Award of Nuclear Science and History from the National Atomic
Museum Foundation for its leadership and commitment to nuclear
development and 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 Company