plant vogtelA nuclear power plant in Waynesboro, Georgia, has become the largest source of clean energy in the United States after adding two new reactors, according to Georgia Power.
The reactor of Unit 4 of the plant started business operations In April, Unit 3 went online last year. They are the first reactors built from scratch and connected to the grid in more than three decades, and together they can power more than a million homes and businesses, according to the utility provider.
But revitalizing nuclear power plants is Difficult and costly.
The original budget for the two new reactors was $14 billion, but that price tag more than doubled. The project is also seven years behind schedule.
“We’ve encountered some challenges and it’s been a difficult journey that we didn’t expect,” Chief Executive Chris Womack said. southern company., the parent of the utility. “A lot has happened, from the Fukushima tsunami to contractor bankruptcies to COVID-19.”
The plant is helping meet growing demand for electricity. about 4.18 MWh Last year, U.S. power generation increased by about 2.2% compared with 2022. Sparking new interest in nuclear energy.
The United States has 54 operating nuclear power plants and 94 reactors, making it the world’s largest producer of nuclear power – accounting for 30% of global nuclear power, according to the World Nuclear Energy Association. But the reactor in the United States 42 years old On average, replacing them is a complex task.
So why is it so difficult to build a nuclear reactor in the United States, and should the new Vogtel reactor be a blueprint for the future or a cautionary tale?
