WNN reports that Based on all factors considered, completing both units represents the best economic choice for customers and preserves the benefits of carbon-free, baseload generation for our state," Bowers said. He highlighted two developments since the August filing that had mitigated some of the risks, and further strengthened the recommendation to proceed with the project. A conditional agreement with the US Department of Energy for about $3.6 billion in additional loan guarantees was reached in September, while Toshiba made the first payments under its guarantee obligations as the parent company of Westinghouse - $300 million on 2 October, and $77.5 million on 1 November. Bowers said the loan guarantee illustrated continued federal support for new nuclear, while Toshiba's payments represented a "positive indication" that the company intends to fulfil its commitments to pay a total of $3.686 billion under the guarantee.
Construction has continued uninterrupted at Vogtle following Westinghouse's bankruptcy, with Southern Nuclear taking over as project manager at the site and Bechtel managing construction. "Progress is steady and evident," Bowers said. Construction of Vogtle unit 3 began at the site, near Waynesboro, Georgia, in March 2013 and unit 4 in November of that year. Vogtle 3 is now expected to begin operation in November 2021 and Voglte 4 in November 2022. Based on those dates, Bowers said, the projected peak rate impact to Georgia Power's retail customers is about 10%, which is less than the company's original projections of 12%.
The Vogtle units will be the first in the USA to use AP1000 technology following the decision by Scana Corporation subsidiary South Carolina Electric & Gas to cease construction of two AP1000 reactors at VC Summer in South Carolina.
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