Google Backs US Nuclear Plant Upratings with 96 MW Capacity Boost

Google has signed an agreement with Georgia Power to support the uprating of two nuclear plants in the US state, which will add around 96 MW of new capacity to the grid.

The upratings will be achieved through a process called an Extended Power Uprate (EPU), which increases the electrical output of a nuclear generating unit by upgrading key plant equipment. This enables the reactor to operate at a higher licensed thermal power level, producing additional heat and increasing steam flow to the turbine generator.

The agreement, subject to approval by the Georgia Public Service Commission, includes a new Nuclear Uprate (NU-1) tariff structure as well as a request to approve an EPU for the two units at Hatch. Google will subscribe to the NU-1 tariff and receive Zero-Emission Credits representing the carbon-free attributes of the nuclear energy associated with the power generated by the uprate work.

Aaron Mitchell, Senior Vice President of Strategic Growth for Georgia Power, said: 'We appreciate Google's continued leadership in this space and partnership in developing this programme.' Lucia Tian, Director, Advanced Energy Technologies at Google, added that the collaboration ensures that digital infrastructure growth goes hand-in-hand with positive local impact.