ATLANTA, May 31, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power
today announced the safe placement of the last of the "Big 6"
modules in the nuclear island for Unit 3 – CA02 and CA03. The
modules, weighing 52 tons and 237 tons respectively, are critical
components and part of the In-Containment Refueling Water Storage
Tank (IRWST). The IRWST is a 75,300 cubic foot tank that, once the
units are operational, is filled with borated water and provides
passive heatsink within containment and backup cooling for the
reactor vessel.
Both modules were assembled onsite, moved to the nuclear island
as single pieces and lifted into place by a 560-foot tall heavy
lift derrick, one of the largest cranes in the world. The "Big 6"
modules for Unit 3 also include the previously placed CA01, CA04,
CA05 and CA20.
In addition to the placement of the latest modules, vertical
construction of the Unit 4 cooling tower is now complete at 601
feet. As part of the plant's water circulation and cooling process,
cooling towers improve efficiency and reduce the volume of water
used to operate the plant.
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.
Video -
http://origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/origin/multivu_archive/PRNA/ENR/Georgia-Power-vid.mp4
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160531/373660
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160531/373659
Photo -
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160531/373661
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20050216/CLW066LOGO
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/last-of-big-6-modules-placed-for-vogtle-unit-3-300277098.html
SOURCE Georgia Power