Google and Georgia Power sign nuclear uprate
Google will subscribe to a new tariff to support power uprates at two Georgia Power nuclear plants, a deal the utility says could bring $900 million in
Georgia Power and Google have announced an agreement for the technology company to support power uprates at two nuclear plants. The deal, which requires approval from the Georgia Public Service Commission, could add approximately 96 MW of generation capacity to the state's grid.
Under the subscription-based program, Google will subscribe to a new nuclear uprate tariff, designated NU-1, and receive zero-emission credits. These credits represent the carbon-free attributes of the nuclear energy generated by the capacity increases.
The proposed uprate projects
The agreement involves extended power uprates (EPUs) for units at Plant Vogtle and Plant Hatch. Georgia Power filed documents with the state commission on Monday, September 21, seeking approval for an EPU at Hatch Units 1 and 2. An EPU for Vogtle Units 1 and 2 was already approved as part of the utility's 2025 Integrated Resource Plan.
Georgia Power stated the deal could generate about $900 million in benefits for its customers over the operational life of the units. The utility serves 2.8 million customers in Georgia, and the Hatch and Vogtle plants provide roughly a quarter of the state's electricity.
Utility and corporate perspectives
Aaron Mitchell, senior vice president of Strategic Growth for Georgia Power, linked the deal to growing customer demand for clean energy. "Many of our large customers have specific clean energy goals," Mitchell said. He framed the program as aligning with the utility's Customer Protection Pledge by enhancing grid reliability and creating savings.
Google's Lucia Tian, director of Advanced Energy Technologies, described the collaboration as a model for growth. "This collaboration with Georgia Power ensures that digital infrastructure growth goes hand-in-hand with positive local impact," Tian stated. She said it helps deliver customer benefits and supports a more affordable, clean, and reliable energy system.
How extended power uprates work
An extended power uprate increases a nuclear unit's electrical output through equipment modifications. Georgia Power explained that changes to turbines, pumps, motors, and cooling systems allow reactors to operate at higher licensed thermal power levels. This produces more heat, increasing steam flow to the turbine generator. The process enables more electricity generation without altering the existing reactor fuel design or core plant infrastructure.
The plants are managed by Southern Nuclear, a sister company of Georgia Power's parent, Southern Co. Google's move follows another recent nuclear agreement; earlier in September, the company signed a $15.1 billion deal with Finland's Fortum to buy up to 50% of the output from the Loviisa nuclear plant over 22 years.
