Georgia nuclear capacity upgrades will add approximately 96MW to Georgia Power’s grid through improvements at Plants Vogtle and Hatch.
The agreement links Google’s large-scale electricity demand with existing nuclear infrastructure rather than new reactor construction.
It remains subject to approval by the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC). Georgia Power and Google filed the agreement on September 21, 2026. The arrangement is expected to generate about $900 million in projected customer benefits over the units’ operating lives.
The project targets Georgia Power’s ownership share of the two nuclear facilities. It will use extended power uprates (EPUs) to increase electricity output from existing reactors.
The upgrades will modify equipment including turbines, pumps, motors and cooling systems. These changes can raise licensed thermal output without replacing the existing reactor fuel design.
Georgia Nuclear Capacity Upgrades Target Existing Reactors
The Georgia nuclear capacity upgrades cover Units 1 and 2 at Plant Vogtle and Plant Hatch. Vogtle operates four reactors near Waynesboro, while Hatch operates two reactors near Baxley.
Georgia Power owns portions of both facilities alongside other utility partners. Southern Nuclear operates the plants.
The Vogtle Units 1 and 2 uprates already received approval through Georgia Power’s 2025 Integrated Resource Plan. Meanwhile, the latest filing seeks approval for uprates at Hatch Units 1 and 2.
Georgia Power’s 2025 plan identified nuclear uprates as a way to increase baseload capacity. The plan projected additional capacity from both facilities through targeted engineering upgrades.
Therefore, the current agreement advances an existing capacity strategy rather than launching a new nuclear construction project.
Georgia Nuclear Capacity Upgrades use Subscription-based Financing
The agreement introduces a Nuclear Uprate, or NU-1, tariff structure for the program. Google will subscribe to the tariff and receive Zero-Emission Credits tied to the additional nuclear generation.
The structure connects Google’s demand for carbon-free electricity with upgrades to operating nuclear assets. Georgia Power says the arrangement can also shield non-participating customers from incremental costs linked to the uprate work.
However, the announced $900 million figure represents projected customer benefits. Neither Georgia Power nor Google disclosed a total construction cost in the announcement.
The agreement arrives as electricity demand from data centers and other large users increases pressure on power systems. Reuters reported that this demand is encouraging utilities to expand existing nuclear facilities.
The upgrades will add capacity to Georgia Power’s electric grid rather than create a separate dedicated generating facility for Google. Consequently, the work could increase available generation while using established nuclear sites.
Georgia Nuclear Capacity Upgrades Strengthen Existing Infrastructure
Plant Vogtle currently represents Georgia Power’s largest nuclear generation site. Units 3 and 4 entered commercial operation in 2023 and 2024 respectively. The facility now has approximately 4,664MW of total generating capacity.
Plant Hatch has approximately 1,848MW of generating capacity across its two reactors. The facility began construction in 1968 and entered commercial operation in the 1970s.
The NRC also renewed Hatch’s operating licenses in 2026. Unit 1 received authorization through 2054, while Unit 2 received authorization through 2058.
Consequently, the uprate program builds on facilities with extended operating horizons. It also demonstrates how utilities can increase nuclear output through equipment modifications instead of constructing additional reactors.
The Georgia PSC must approve the agreement before the proposed tariff and Hatch uprates can proceed. The filings appear under Dockets 44280 and 56002.
Google’s broader nuclear power strategy in the United States also includes its support for the Hermes 2 project in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The 50 MWe reactor is being developed by Kairos Power with Samsung C&T providing up to $100 million in investment and engineering support.
Project Fact Sheet
Project: Georgia nuclear capacity upgrades at Plants Vogtle and Hatch
Location: Waynesboro and Baxley, Georgia, United States
Scope: Extended power up rates for existing nuclear generating units
Facilities: Plant Vogtle and Plant Hatch
Units involved: Vogtle Units 1 and 2; Hatch Units 1 and 2
Additional capacity: Approximately 96MW
Financing structure: Google subscription under the proposed NU-1 tariff
Technology: Extended Power Uprate (EPU)
Main upgrades: Turbines, pumps, motors and cooling systems
Grid role: Additional capacity for Georgia Power customers
Regulatory status: Pending Georgia Public Service Commission approval
Vogtle approval: EPU for Units 1 and 2 approved through the 2025 IRP
Hatch approval: New EPU approval requested for Units 1 and 2
Environmental attributes: Zero-Emission Credits associated with incremental nuclear generation
Existing infrastructure: Uses operating nuclear reactors and established plant systems
Project Team
Utility and project sponsor: Georgia Power
Parent company: Southern Company
Nuclear plant operator: Southern Nuclear
Corporate energy partner: Google
Plant Vogtle co-owners: Georgia Power, Oglethorpe Power Corporation, Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia and Dalton Utilities
Plant Hatch co-owners: Georgia Power, Oglethorpe Power Corporation, Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia and Dalton Utilities
Regulator: Georgia Public Service Commission
Regulatory mechanism: Nuclear Uprate (NU-1) tariff
Regulatory filings: Georgia Power filings under Dockets 44280 and 56002
Nuclear licensing authority: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
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