Plant Vogtle Nuclear Unit 3 Enters Commercial Service July 31

On July 31, Plant Vogtle Unit 3 entered commercial service, adding 250 MW of emissions-free generation capacity to MEAG Power’s portfolio, an equivalent amount to power an estimated 113,500 homes and businesses. Vogtle Unit 3 is the first newly constructed nuclear unit to enter service in the U.S. in more than 30 years.

“Vogtle Unit 3 entering commercial service is a monumental achievement that reflects the tremendous hard work, dedication and perseverance of thousands of workers on-site, as well as all the current and past employees of MEAG Power and the Unit’s other co-owners, MEAG Power Board members and the countless utility and city government employees of the 49 Participant communities we serve across Georgia,” said MEAG Power President & CEO Jim Fuller.

“Bringing Vogtle Unit 3 to commercial operation – and continuing the work on Unit 4 toward an in-service date later this year or early next year – highlights MEAG Power’s commitment to serving the needs of our Participant communities,” Fuller continued. “Vogtle Units 3 & 4 will provide up to 500 MW of clean energy to our Participant communities for the next 60 to 80 years – providing critical non-emitting power to present and future generations.”

Vogtle Unit 3 passed its final testing July 27 and was declared available for reliable dispatch by Southern Nuclear, which will operate the new units for the Vogtle co-owners: MEAG Power, Georgia Power, Oglethorpe Power and Dalton Utilities. The co-owners then agreed to declare Unit 3 in commercial operation on July 31.

To mark the momentous occasion, the Vogtle co-owners each sent a small delegation to the site for a celebration event the morning of the 31st that included members of the Georgia Public Service Commission. A much larger event is being planned that will include larger delegations from each co-owner and off-taker, along with numerous state and national government officials. MEAG Power will provide further information to Participants when details of the larger event become available.

On July 28, Vogtle Unit 4 received the 103(g) finding from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), signifying that the unit has been constructed and will be operated in conformance with the Combined License and NRC regulations. No further NRC findings are necessary in order for Southern Nuclear to load fuel or begin the startup sequence for Unit 4, which is expected to enter commercial operation late this year or early in 2024.