Vogtle Electric Generating Plant
The first new US reactors in 30+ years made Vogtle the largest US nuclear plant
Location
History & Background
Vogtle Units 1 and 2 entered service in 1987 and 1989. Construction of Units 3 and 4 was authorized in 2009 by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission—the first new US reactor construction licenses in over 30 years. The new units use Westinghouse's AP1000 design. Unit 3 began commercial operation in July 2023 and Unit 4 followed in April 2024. The two new units were originally projected to cost about $14 billion and enter service in 2016–2017; the final cost was over $30 billion and the schedule slipped by roughly seven years.
Why It Matters
Vogtle Units 3 and 4 are the only new commercial reactors built in the United States in the 21st century. Their completion makes Vogtle the largest nuclear power plant in the US by capacity. The financial and schedule overruns of the project will influence every new US reactor proposal of the late 2020s and 2030s—particularly the choice between conventional gigawatt-scale designs and the new wave of small modular reactor (SMR) concepts.
Environmental Impact
A typical large nuclear plant displaces roughly 10 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. With four reactors operating, Vogtle will prevent roughly 20 million tonnes of CO2 per year compared to a natural-gas equivalent. The plant uses water from the Savannah River for cooling and operates under EPA thermal discharge limits.
In the News & Controversies
Cost overruns and delays at Vogtle 3 and 4 contributed to the 2017 bankruptcy of Westinghouse Electric, the reactor designer. Georgia ratepayers will pay for the project over decades through retail rate increases approved by the Georgia Public Service Commission. The South Carolina sister project (V.C. Summer Units 2 and 3), based on the same AP1000 design, was canceled in 2017 after $9 billion was spent.
Fun Facts
- Each AP1000 reactor was preassembled in modular sections shipped to the site by rail and barge.
- Unit 3 was originally scheduled to enter service in April 2016. It actually started up in July 2023.
- The four reactors at Vogtle now produce enough electricity to power roughly 1.6 million homes, primarily across Georgia.
- Construction at peak employed about 9,000 workers, making it one of the largest construction projects in the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Vogtle Units 3 and 4 come online?▾
Unit 3 entered commercial operation on July 31, 2023 and Unit 4 on April 29, 2024. They are the first new US commercial reactors since Watts Bar Unit 2 in 2016, and the first to be built from a fresh construction license in more than 30 years.
How much did Vogtle 3 and 4 cost?▾
The two new reactors cost approximately $30 billion combined, more than double the original $14 billion estimate. Cost recovery is being handled through Georgia Public Service Commission–approved rate increases over the operating life of the plants.
Is Vogtle the largest nuclear plant in the US?▾
Yes. With Units 3 and 4 now operating alongside the original Units 1 and 2, Vogtle is now the largest US nuclear plant by installed capacity at roughly 4,536 MW—narrowly ahead of Palo Verde in Arizona.
About Nuclear Power
Nuclear power plants use nuclear fission to generate heat, which produces steam to drive turbines. They provide reliable baseload power with virtually no direct carbon emissions, though they produce radioactive waste.
Other Nuclear Power Plants in United States of America
| Name | Capacity | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station | 3.9 GW | Arizona Public Service |
| Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant | 3.5 GW | Tennessee Valley Authority |
| Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station | 2.8 GW | Constellation Energy |
| South Texas Nuclear Generating Station | 2.7 GW | NRG Energy |
| Oconee Nuclear Station | 2.5 GW | Duke Energy |
Related Reading
Data Information
Data Sources
Power plant data is based on the Global Power Plant Database by World Resources Institute, in collaboration with Google, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Enipedia, and the Global Energy Observatory. Editorial content on this page is curated and reviewed by the StatsPanda team using publicly available reporting and operator filings.
Disclaimer
Information found on this page is for informational purposes only. Power plant specifications, ownership, and operational status may have changed since the data was last updated. Please verify critical information with official sources.