ATLANTA – July 31, 2023 – MEAG Power is pleased to announce that Unit 3 at Plant Vogtle entered commercial service today, 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 last week 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 today.
Vogtle Unit 4 on Friday, July 28, 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.
According to Douglas’ City Manager Charles Davis, “The City of Douglas has a 13.345 MW shares in the 500MW Vogtle project. Douglas will receive 2.345 MWs for immediate use. The reminder of the MW’s has been sold off to other energy providers for 20 years - 6.849 MWs to Jacksonville Energy Authority and 4.151 MWs to Power South. With these additional reactors of 3 & 4, this will raise our fuel mix to about 65% nuclear (avg is 19%) and emission-free to about 65% (avg is 41%)."
About MEAG Power
The Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia (MEAG Power) is a nonprofit, statewide generation and transmission organization. Recognized as one of the leading joint action agencies in the country, MEAG Power is among the top public power companies nationwide in terms of annual net generation, megawatt-hour sales and electric revenue. Its diverse, clean energy portfolio – delivering, on average, 66% emissions-free energy from 2018-2022 – compares favorably with both the state and national averages. Created by the Georgia General Assembly in 1975, MEAG Power provides reliable, competitive wholesale electricity to its 49 member communities (Participants), who own their local distribution systems, through take-or-pay contracts. MEAG Power also monitors and advocates on energy issues at the state and federal levels on behalf of its Participants.
Photo credit: MEAG Power
