Vogtle Electric Generating Plant,
Units 3 and 4
In 2008, Shaw was awarded a project management, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract by Georgia Power Co., a subsidiary of Southern Company, for two nuclear power units and related facilities using the Westinghouse AP1000® technology. The two new units will be located at the existing Vogtle Electric Generating Plant site near Waynesboro, Ga. This contract is the first EPC contract awarded for a new commercial nuclear power plant in the U.S. in more than 30 years.
In April 2009, Shaw and Westinghouse received full notice to proceed from Georgia Power on Units 3 and 4. In August 2009, Vogtle received an early site permit (ESP) from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). It was the first ESP in the industry to reference a specific technology and to come with a limited work authorization, which allows limited safety-related construction at the site prior to receiving the combined license (COL).
In 2010, President Barack Obama and Secretary of Energy Steven Chu announced that Vogtle would receive the first conditional federal loan guarantee for nuclear plant construction. More than $8 billion in loan guarantees were awarded to Southern Company to provide secure financing for this project.
In February 2012, the NRC voted to approve the issuance of the COL for Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4. The license for Vogtle is the first to be approved by the NRC under an improved process that combines the construction permit and operating license for a nuclear power plant. By combining the construction permit and operating license, the new licensing method provides greater regulatory efficiency and increases the predictability of the process. Receipt of the COL signifies that full construction can begin.
Units 3 and 4 are expected to begin commercial operation in 2016 and 2017, respectively.
Please visit Southern Company’s website to view and access updated construction videos and photos of Vogtle’s progress.
View Construction Photos