Georgia Power achieves critical milestones in historic Vogtle 3 and 4 project

ATLANTA, Sept. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power continues to track positive progress in the construction of the new Vogtle units 3 and 4 facility near Waynesboro, Ga. The project, among the first new nuclear units to be built in the United States in three decades, has marked numerous significant milestones in 2013. 

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Following the placement of 7,000 cubic yards of concrete for the Unit 3 basemat in March, additional project progress this year has included:  

• Delivery of the Unit 3 reactor vessel and the Unit 4 deaerator to the site.
• Placement of the CR10 "cradle" module in the Unit 3 nuclear island.
• Placement of the containment vessel bottom head (CVBH).
• Installation of rebar in the Unit 3 auxiliary building walls.
• Placement of the Unit 4 nuclear island mudmat and installation of the Unit 4 basemat rebar.

Construction of key modules continues to progress, as does work on the cooling towers for both units, condenser pre-assembly, permanent office building construction, switchyard work and raw water intake structure preparation. In addition, activities to ensure readiness for the transition to commercial operation are underway including employing and training operational personnel, developing pre-operational and startup testing, and developing operations programs and procedures. In fact, there are currently nearly 100 licensed operator candidates in different phases of the training program with 25 of these candidates being certified on the AP1000 on-site limited scope simulator in February.

The Vogtle 3 and 4 project, which provides $4 billion more in economic value than the next best available option, is part of Georgia Power's long-term, strategic vision for providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable energy for Georgians for decades to come.  It is the largest job-producing project in the state, employing approximately 5,000 people during peak construction and creating 800 permanent jobs when the plant begins operating.

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).

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:
Certain information contained in this release is forward-looking information based on current expectations and plans that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information includes, among other things, statements concerning benefits to customers of ongoing construction projects. Georgia Power Company cautions that there are certain factors that can cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information that has been provided. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is not a guarantee of future performance and is subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of Georgia Power Company; accordingly, there can be no assurance that such suggested results will be realized. The following factors, in addition to those discussed in Georgia Power Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, and subsequent securities filings, could cause actual results to differ materially from management expectations as suggested by such forward-looking information: ability to control costs and avoid cost overruns during the development and construction of the Plant Vogtle expansion, to construct facilities in accordance with the requirements of permits and licenses, and to satisfy any operational and environmental performance standards; regulatory approvals and actions related to the Plant Vogtle expansion, including Georgia Public Service Commission approvals, Nuclear Regulatory Commission actions, and potential U.S. Department of Energy loan guarantees; the inherent risks involved in operating and constructing nuclear generating facilities, including environmental, health, regulatory, natural disaster, terrorism, and financial risks; and the ability of counterparties of Georgia Power Company to make payments as and when due and to perform as required. Georgia Power Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information.

SOURCE Georgia Power