ATLANTA, Aug. 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power announced today the latest milestone in the Vogtle nuclear expansion – the recent placement of the first six shield building panels for Unit 3. The safe placement of the panels follows the heaviest "lift" of the project, the 2.28 million-pound Unit 3 CA01 module, earlier this month.

The shield building, which encapsulates the Unit 3 containment vessel, is comprised of more than 160 individual steel panels. The reinforced panels can weigh 10 tons or more and be filled with concrete. Once completely assembled, the shield building will provide structural support of the containment cooling water supply and protect the containment vessel, which houses the reactor vessel and associated equipment.

Other recent milestones at the Vogtle expansion site include the Unit 4 CA04 module placement in June and concrete placement for the Unit 3 Annex Building basemat. Georgia Power also recently announced the completion of transmission upgrades and installations at the site in preparation to connect the new units to Georgia's power grid.

The expansion at Plant Vogtle is part of Georgia Power's long-term plan for providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable energy for Georgians well into the future. Once units 3 and 4 join the existing two Vogtle units already in operation, Plant Vogtle is expected to generate more electricity than any U.S. nuclear facility, enough to power more than one million homes and businesses in Georgia.

The construction of Vogtle units 3 and 4 continues to be the most economic choice for meeting Georgia's future energy needs. On Tuesday, Georgia Power received unanimous verification and approval from the Georgia Public Service Commission for its most recent Vogtle capital and construction investment of $169 million.  

Southern Nuclear, a subsidiary of Southern Company, is overseeing construction and will operate the two new 1,100-megawatt AP1000 units for Georgia Power and co-owners Oglethorpe Power Corporation, the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia and Dalton Utilities. Georgia Power owns 45.7 percent of the new units.

About Georgia Power
Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), one of the nation's largest generators of electricity. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company's promise to 2.4 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy at rates below the national average, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, 21st century coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Consistently recognized as a leader in customer service, Georgia Power was recently ranked highest in overall business customer satisfaction among large utilities in the South by J.D. Power and Associates. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower) and Twitter (Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower). 

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SOURCE Georgia Power