Inside Plant Vogtle, the largest generator of carbon-free nuclear energy in the U.S.
A message from: Southern Company
The Vogtle Electric Generating Plant — "Plant Vogtle" — in Waynesboro, Georgia has the first new nuclear reactors built in the U.S. in over 30 years.
What you need to know: Plant Vogtle, one of three nuclear facilities in Southern Company's energy portfolio, is the largest generator of carbon-free nuclear energy in the United States.
- Plant Vogtle delivers carbon-free nuclear energy to more than 2 million homes and businesses — it's expected to produce more than 30 million megawatt hours of electricity each year.
- Why now: The demand for electricity to power AI data centers is skyrocketing, and nuclear plants operate 24/7, 365 days a year — producing more than twice the electricity of solar and wind.
- Carbon-free nuclear energy is growing — it currently accounts for more than 20 percent of Georgia's overall electricity production every year.
Plant Vogtle is crucial in helping the Southern Company system achieve its goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
How it's done: Nuclear power units like Vogtle are the most reliable energy source, able to generate electricity at full power 24/7.
- At a nuclear energy facility like Plant Vogtle, the heat used to make steam is produced by fission. Turbines, powered by steam, turn to produce electricity.
The deets: The site consists of four units, including two new reactors — Unit 3 and Unit 4 — that began operations in July 2023 and April 2024, respectively.
- These units are the first U.S. deployment of the Westinghouse AP1000 Generation III+ reactor technology.
- The two new reactors represent the latest in nuclear technology, designed with safety and efficiency as top priorities — Plant Vogtle features redundant safety systems and multiple layers of protection, including structural strength, highly trained operators and proven emergency plans.
The benefits: This long-term investment will benefit customers and communities for the next 60-80 years.
- Nuclear energy is a secure, dependable source of power for the United States because it is not subject to unpredictable climate conditions.
- Plus, nuclear fuel costs typically fluctuate less often than other fuel sources, benefiting consumers' wallets.
The positive news: Plant Vogtle is also an economic engine for the community employing more than 1,600 people, including engineers, mechanics, control room operators, chemists, electricians, security officers and others.
- Units 3 and 4 specifically support 800 permanent, well-paying positions.
What's in it for you: Peek inside Plant Vogtle's AR Experience — a guided tour that reveals the intricate processes that make the site a vital part of our energy landscape.