5 Things You Should Know About Plant Vogtle

The United States is all-in on new nuclear.

Two of the most advanced commercial reactors in the world are under construction in Waynesboro, Georgia — marking a new era for the industry.  

The successful completion of Vogtle Units 3 and 4 will set the tone for what could be a nuclear resurgence in the United States.

America’s newest reactors will not only provide clean and reliable power to millions of homes and businesses in the Southeast, but are also helping to rebuild our nation’s nuclear workforce and future supply chain.

Here are 5 things you should know about one of the most important nuclear projects in decades.

1. Plant Vogtle is the nation’s only nuclear construction project

Plant Vogtle is one of the largest infrastructure projects in the United States and is expected to support around 9,000 workers during peak construction.

The new units are the first new reactors to begin construction in America in more than 3 decades.

That productivity gap has weakened the nation’s supply chain over the years and partially attributed to the cost overruns and construction delays associated with the project.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office is providing more than $12 billion in loan guarantees to complete the project that is essential to rebuilding America’s nuclear workforce in this new era in American energy.

2. Vogtle will be home to one of the world’s most advanced reactors

Plant Vogtle Units 3 & 4 are expected to come online in 2022 and 2023. They will be the first U.S. reactors to use the AP1000 technology developed by Westinghouse.

These new reactors have advanced safety systems that automatically shut the reactor down without any operator action or external power source. Its simplified design also uses less piping, valves and pumps than current reactors, which could lead to less maintenance and lower operating costs for the plants.

3. Vogtle is creating jobs and boosting the local economy

Plant Vogtle is a massive job creator.

It will support up to 9,000 jobs during peak construction and create 800 permanent jobs at the facility when it begins operation.

The site is also helping to rebuild the nation’s nuclear workforce.

American workers are gaining specialized expertise in building advanced nuclear projects.  This is creating a new crop of engineers, technicians, welders and workers to a new era in nuclear energy.

4. Vogtle produces clean and reliable energy

Vogtle Units 3 & 4 are expected to generate more than 17 million megawatt-hours of clean and reliable electricity. That’s enough to power more than 1.6 million average American homes.

The reactors will also prevent up to 10 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually—the equivalent of removing 1 million cars from the road each year.

5. Vogtle will help re-establish U.S. global leadership in nuclear

Plant Vogtle is part of the Administration’s efforts to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

U.S. nuclear technology safety standards are the highest in the world. Successful completion of this project will help re-assert America as an international leader in innovation and strengthen the nation’s energy and national security.

American companies have already deployed this technology abroad in China and have agreed to build six new reactors in India. They are also in talks with other countries to provide this safe and secure energy resource.

Learn more about the Plant Vogtle expansion project.