Atlanta-based Georgia Power plans to uprate its Vogtle and Hatch plants in Georgia through a new agreement with Google, the utility said Monday.
The two entities’ agreement, which is subject to approval by the Georgia Public Service Commission, would support uprates that would bring about 96 megawatts to the electric grid, according to the Georgia Power press release. Georgia Power filed two documents with the Georgia Public Service Commission Monday to initiate the process.
The utility filed a request for approval for a nuclear uprate tariff structure and an application for approval for a new extended power uprate for Units 1 and 2 at Plant Hatch in Baxley, Ga. Georgia Power has already been approved by the state Public Service Commission for Plant Vogtle Units 1 and 2 in the utility’s 2025 integrated resource plan.
The utility said the extended power uprate would enable an up the electrical output of the unit through modifications and upgraded equipment such as turbines, pumps and cooling systems.
“Many of our large customers have specific clean energy goals, and we continue to work with the Georgia PSC [Public Service Commission] to create programs that not only help them meet their goals, but align with our customer protection pledge, enhancing the reliability and resiliency of the power grid and creating savings for all customers,” Aaron Mitchell, senior vice president of strategic growth for Georgia Power, said in the release.
Plant Hatch, a two-unit plant, has a combined electricity generation of 1,848 megawatts, and Plant Vogtle, a four-unit plant located in Waynesboro, Ga., produces about 4,500 to 4,800 megawatts. Vogtle is the largest nuclear power plant in the United States.
Georgia Power and Google additionally said this partnership is expected to bring around “$900 million in projected benefits to customers over the life of the units.”
“We appreciate Google’s continued leadership in this space and partnership in developing this program, which we see as the latest example of how large-load growth can benefit all electric customers,” Mitchell said.