For five decades, nuclear energy has been a significant part of Georgia’s electricity supply, currently providing about 25% of the state’s power from two main facilities: Plant Hatch near Vidalia and Plant Vogtle near Augusta. These plants have maintained an average capacity factor of 94% over the past ten years, indicating they run at full power most of the time. Since 1975, Georgia’s nuclear units have generated more than 1.2 billion megawatt hours of net electricity.
Georgia Power, along with Oglethorpe Power Corporation, the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia, and Dalton Utilities, is marking key milestones this year for the state’s nuclear program. Plant Hatch Unit 1 began commercial operation in December 1975 and has now operated continuously for fifty years. The expansion of Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 also reached its one-year completion anniversary this spring.
“Nuclear energy serves as the bedrock of our diverse generation fleet, ready and available when we need it, with a stable, predictable cost to operate and no air emissions,” said Kim Greene, chairman, president and CEO of Georgia Power. “We’re grateful that, well over 50 years ago, state leaders at that time recognized the value of this energy source and took steps to make sure that a growing Georgia had the energy it needed. Customers today directly benefit from that foresight. Now, as our state continues to be the economic powerhouse of the Southeast, work continues with the Georgia Public Service Commission and many other stakeholders to build on that legacy as we maintain, evolve and expand our diverse generation mix to serve customers today, and 50 years from today.”
The company is continuing to invest in modernizing its nuclear units by exploring license extensions and additional power output. Southern Nuclear operates Plants Hatch and Vogtle for Georgia Power and its partners. The company has been recognized for its innovations in nuclear technology; these include being among the first globally to install enhanced Accident Tolerant Fuel technologies at Plant Hatch in 2018 and implementing higher-uranium-enriched fuel at Vogtle Units 1 & 2 earlier this year.
“Our workforce comes from a wide variety of backgrounds, including the nuclear Navy, with each individual dedicated to safely and efficiently operating these nuclear units to serve electric customers across Georgia,” said Pete Sena, chairman, president and CEO of Southern Nuclear. “The nuclear industry represents the best of American energy production, and I couldn’t be more proud to lead this team of highly skilled professionals across Southern Nuclear who work together to drive innovation and performance at our current plants, but also as we work together to grow the future of clean energy in this country.”
Southern Nuclear employs more than 2,600 people at both sites. Over time, these plants have created an estimated total of about 18,000 jobs. In addition to employment opportunities provided by Plants Hatch and Vogtle since their openings decades ago—when Georgia’s population was roughly half what it is now—the facilities contribute more than $85 million annually in property taxes that help support local schools and infrastructure.
Plant Hatch received its initial operating licenses from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in the mid-1970s; these were extended by twenty years in 2002. In May 2025, Southern Nuclear formally applied for another license renewal that would allow both units at Hatch to continue operating for another two decades.
Named after Alvin Vogtle—a World War II veteran who later became CEO of Southern Company—Plant Vogtle opened its original units in the late eighties. With four operational units following recent expansions completed in May 2024—including Unit 4—Vogtle is now considered the largest generator of clean energy in America by expected annual output.
After beginning commercial service last year, Vogtle’s new reactors have operated safely at or above industry averages. Strategic refueling allowed Unit 4’s maintenance schedule to shift so it could provide uninterrupted service during peak summer demand months.
For further information about Plant Hatch visit https://www.georgiapower.com/company/plant-hatch.html
More details on Plant Vogtle are available at https://www.georgiapower.com/company/plant-vogtle.html
