Google to Back Georgia Power Nuclear Uprates Adding About 96 MW at Vogtle and Hatch

Google will support uprates on Georgia Power's ownership share of the nuclear units at Plants Vogtle and Hatch. The uprates would add approximately 96 MW of capacity to Georgia Power's electric grid to serve customers.

Google has agreed to pay a premium for the electricity produced by the planned reactor upgrades. The arrangement is intended to prevent customers outside the program from bearing additional upgrade costs.

The agreement still requires approval from the Georgia Public Service Commission. The regulatory filings include a new Nuclear Uprate tariff structure. Under the deal, Google would receive zero-emission credits representing the carbon-free attributes of electricity generated by the incremental nuclear capacity.

Georgia Power requested approval for an extended power uprate at Plant Hatch Units 1 and 2. The Georgia Public Service Commission previously approved an extended power uprate for Plant Vogtle Units 1 and 2 in the 2025 Integrated Resource Plan. Georgia Power owns 50.1% of each Plant Hatch reactor.

Georgia Power said it would use federal and state tax credits and a pending loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Energy to offset some of the upgrade costs.

Nuclear uprates involve modifications to equipment including turbines, pumps, motors and cooling systems. The approach can add generation without constructing an entirely new reactor.

Plant Hatch is located in Baxley, about 200 miles southeast of Atlanta. Plant Vogtle is near Waynesboro, Georgia.