Press Release

We are very pleased to share with you that fuel load into the Unit 4 reactor core has begun at Plant Vogtle. The fuel load process marks a crucial milestone toward startup and commercial operation of Unit 4. 

During fuel load, nuclear technicians and operators from Westinghouse and Southern Nuclear are  scheduled to safely transfer 157 fuel assemblies one-by-one from the Unit 4 spent fuel pool to the Unit 4 reactor core over the coming days.  

Startup testing will begin next and is designed to demonstrate the integrated operation of the primary  coolant system and steam supply system at design temperature and pressure with fuel inside the reactor.  Operators will also bring the plant from cold shutdown to initial criticality, synchronize the unit to the  electric grid and systematically raise power to 100%.  

This testing -- the same process Unit 3 went through starting late last year -- takes a number of weeks,  leading to commercial operation. Vogtle Unit 4 is projected to enter service by the first quarter of 2024. 

The Unit 4 fuel load milestone follows Unit 3 entering commercial operation just over two weeks ago, on  July 31, becoming the first newly constructed nuclear unit to enter service in the U.S. in more than 30  years. 

As always, we will keep you updated on the continued progress toward commercial operation of Vogtle  Units 4.  

If you have any questions, please feel to reach out to your Regional Manager, Steve Jackson  (770-563-0314) or me (770-563-0522).