Google Teams Up with Georgia Power for Nuclear Energy Boost

Google and Georgia Power have announced a partnership to upgrade two nuclear power plants in the state. The agreement, which is pending approval from the Georgia Public Service Commission, aims to increase the capacity of Plant Vogtle and Plant Hatch by using an extended power uprate process.

This process involves upgrading key equipment such as turbines, pumps, motors, and cooling systems, allowing the reactor to operate at a higher power level. As a result, more heat is generated, sending more steam to the turbine generator and increasing electricity production while still utilizing existing plant infrastructure and fuel design.

The upgrade will add approximately 96 megawatts of new capacity to the grid for Georgia Power customers. Google's subscription to this program is expected to bring around $900 million in projected savings to customers over the lifespan of these units.

Georgia Power has filed the agreement with the state commission, which already approved the uprate for Plant Vogtle in the 2025 Integrated Resource Plan. The new filings ask to approve the uprate for Plant Hatch, along with a new tariff structure.