Georgia Power further delays 1st of 2 new Vogtle nuclear units

Southern Co. subsidiary Georgia Power Co. further delayed the in-service date of one of two new units at the Alvin W. Vogtle Nuclear Plant, according to a June 16 filing.

During startup and preoperational testing for Vogtle unit 3, Southern Nuclear Operating Co. Inc. discovered a degraded hydrogen seal in the main generator that it is now remediating. As a result of the necessary remediation and remaining preoperational testing, Georgia Power said unit 3's in-service date would be delayed from June to July.

Unit 3 power-ascension testing is about 95% complete, Georgia Power said in a June 16 financial filing. Unit 3 has operated as designed during preoperational testing and the startup sequence, but the projected schedule primarily depends on the continued progression of that testing and startup, the utility said in the filing.

Georgia Power noted that some of the unit's systems, structures and components are based on new technology, so the testing could reveal more issues that could lead to further delays or cost increases.

Georgia Power did not elaborate on how the company would be financially affected by delaying the in-service date to July.

In February, Georgia Power delayed the in-service date for unit 3 to May or June after discovering problems during startup and preoperational testing. Georgia Power's share of the total capital cost forecast increased by $201 million to fund the timeline pushbacks, completion of remaining work and testing, executives said at the time.

In May, Georgia Power said Vogtle unit 4 was receiving fuel ahead of its expected fuel load as early as July, potentially coinciding with the Georgia Public Service Commission beginning its prudence review for the overall Vogtle expansion project, which will add more than 2,200 MW of generating capacity.

Georgia Power owns a 45.7% interest in the Vogtle plant. Other owners are Oglethorpe Power Corp. at about 30%, though it is looking to exercise an option to reduce that share to cut costs; the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia at 22.7%; and the city of Dalton, Ga., at 1.6%, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence data. Southern Nuclear Operating Co. Inc. will operate the new units on behalf of the co-owners.

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