Where are the Nuclear Power Plants in Georgia?
Georgia, a southeastern state in the United States, is home to three nuclear power plants, providing clean and reliable energy to its citizens. In this article, we will explore the location, capacity, and history of these nuclear power plants.
Plant Vogtle
The first nuclear power plant in Georgia is Plant Vogtle, located in Burke County, about 30 miles south of Augusta. The plant has two units, Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (Unit 1) and Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (Unit 2).
Contents
Capacity and Generation
- Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (Unit 1): 1,141 MW capacity, generating over 8.5 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2020.
- Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (Unit 2): 1,151 MW capacity, generating over 9.1 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2020.
History
The construction of Plant Vogtle began in 1974, with Unit 1 operational since 1987 and Unit 2 since 1989. In 2012, Plant Vogtle began a $10 billion expansion project, adding two new units, Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (Unit 3) and Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (Unit 4), scheduled to be operational in the mid-2020s.
Plant Edwin I. Hatch
The second nuclear power plant in Georgia is Plant Edwin I. Hatch, located in Appling County, approximately 45 miles south of Vidalia. The plant has two units, Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Generating Plant (Unit 1) and Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Generating Plant (Unit 2).
Capacity and Generation
- Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Generating Plant (Unit 1): 1,094 MW capacity, generating over 7.6 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2020.
- Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Generating Plant (Unit 2): 1,082 MW capacity, generating over 7.2 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2020.
History
The construction of Plant Hatch began in 1975, with Unit 1 operational since 1980 and Unit 2 since 1984.
Plant W.S. Jordan
The third nuclear power plant in Georgia is Plant W.S. Jordan, located in Forsyth County, approximately 5 miles north of Dahlonega. The plant has one unit, W.S. Jordan Nuclear Power Plant.
Capacity and Generation
- W.S. Jordan Nuclear Power Plant: 555 MW capacity, generating over 4.2 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2020.
History
The construction of Plant Jordan began in 1979, with the plant operational since 1981.
Key Statistics
- Total capacity: 3,328 MW
- Total generation in 2020: 24.3 billion kilowatt-hours
- Number of reactors: 5
Conclusion
Georgia’s three nuclear power plants provide clean and reliable energy to the state, generating over 24 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2020. With a combined capacity of 3,328 MW, these plants play a crucial role in meeting Georgia’s electricity demand. As the world shifts towards cleaner energy sources, Georgia’s nuclear power plants will continue to be an essential part of the state’s energy mix.
