The Plan

Meeting Demand Without Emissions
The most cost-effective, reliable and environmentally responsible fuel source today, for mass or baseload generation of electricity, is nuclear. Nuclear energy fits in Southern Company's mix of smart energy sources. Its a proven technology that produces no greenhouse gas emissions and can relieve cost uncertainty caused by coal and natural gas prices.

Demand Rises
By 2030, electrical demand is projected to increase 27 percent in the Southeast. Additionally, current and pending legislation and environmental standards are impacting electricity generation fueled by coal. We're planning to use nuclear units to extend reliable and affordable supplies of electricity in the Southeast.

Southern Nuclear already operates three nuclear plants: Hatch, Farley and Vogtle, each with multiple generating units. Plant Vogtle was constructed with the option to expand. With operations in 2016, Vogtle Units 3 and 4 would be the first new nuclear units built in the U.S. in the last three decades.

Avoiding Time and Cost Overruns
The cost of U.S. nuclear power units built in the 1970s and 80s increased dramatically from original cost estimates. The nuclear industry has taken a number of steps to reduce the risk of capital cost escalations for new plants.

To avoid lengthy licensing processes and cost overruns that occurred during the construction of the current fleet of nuclear plants, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has implemented changes to its licensing process that provide for the resolution of all safety and environmental issues before construction begins. The NRC, manufacturers and utilities have worked together to make changes to help prevent price escalations experienced in the 1970s and 80's.

The prior licensing approach granted an operating license after construction was completed. During construction, it was common for licensing requirements to change, resulting in costly redesigns.

Licensing Process Today
Today's design certification process enables plant designers to secure advance NRC approval of standardized plant designs. The early site permit process also enables companies to obtain approval from the NRC for a nuclear power plant site before deciding to build a plant. And today's process provides for issuance of a combined construction permit and operating license before construction begins. Granting a combined construction permit and operating license signifies resolution of all safety issues associated with the plant. More about the Part 52 New Licensing Process.

Standardized Designs
While past nuclear power plant designs contained common technologies, there were many other differences in overall plant design. Today, manufacturers use standard designs which are being pre-approved by the NRC.

The new units at Plant Vogtle will use the light-water Westinghouse AP1000 technology. More than 40 new nuclear plants are under construction in 12 countries around the world - almost all using light-water reactor technology.

The AP1000 has received design certification from the NRC. The design is safe, efficient and simpler than current models.

More about the AP1000.