US nuclear plant Vogtle 3 pushes back expected start-up date again

The new US nuclear unit Vogtle 3 is now unlikely to enter commercial operation before May or June this year. Southern Nuclear says technicians have resolved the vibration issues identified during testing. The operator now plans to start up Vogtle 4 between December this year and the end of the first quarter of 2024.

US company Southern Nuclear revealed in its quarterly report that it expects to bring the third unit at its subsidiary Georgia Power's Vogtle plant into operation no earlier than May or June this year. In January, the company announced a delay to the start-up because of vibrations in the cooling system identified during testing. In January, the plant was expected to reach criticality for the first time in February; the company now says this is expected in March or April.

"In line with our focus on optimal long-term performance, we have added some time to the schedule for starting up Unit 3 to address these items and reduce the risks associated with other potential issues," said Southern Nuclear CEO Tom Fanning.