During the Vogtle Unit 3 start-up and pre-operational testing, vibration in a system used for depressurization was discovered.  Southern Nuclear Operating Company, the plants licensee, said this will result in further delay for Vogtle Unit 3’s commercial operation.

Southern Company notified the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission concerning their announcement of further delay for the Project.  In addition, they now expect the 1,100 MW Vogtle Unit 3 nuclear generating facility to reach initial criticality in February and be in-service in April.  The delay is estimated to result in additional base capital costs for Georgia Power of up to $15 million pre-tax per month, as well as related allowance for funds used during construction and any additional related construction, support resources, or testing costs.

Southern Company said a further update would be provided as part of their February earnings report and said the projected Unit 3 schedule largely depends on the progress of start-up, final component, and pre-operational testing that still lies ahead for the Project, “which may be impacted by equipment or other operational failures”.