One of Georgia Power’s two new nuclear reactors at Plant Vogtle has been offline for a week after a valve problem that emerged in one of the unit’s cooling systems triggered a shutdown.
The reactor where the issue occurred is known as Unit 3 and is one of four nuclear units at the power plant near Waynesboro. Unit 3 has been in commercial operation since July 2023, when it became the first new nuclear reactor built from scratch to enter service in the U.S. in more than three decades.
A report filed with the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission says the shutdown occurred in the early hours of Sept. 17, after a valve that helps remove heat from the reactor became stuck in the open position. The stuck valve automatically tripped the reactor and triggered the shutdown, but all safety systems responded normally and the unit was safely cooled down, the report says.
“At no time was the safety of the employees or community at risk,” a Georgia Power spokesman said in a statement.
The company spokesman said repairs to fix the issue have been completed, but would not disclose when Unit 3 might return to service, citing “competitive reasons.” As of Tuesday afternoon, the NRC’s power reactor status dashboard still showed Unit 3 at 0% power . At full tilt, each of the new Vogtle reactors can generate enough electricity to power about 500,000 homes and businesses.