Southern Co's Georgia Power signs Google nuclear deal

Southern Company subsidiary Georgia Power has entered into an agreement with Google, a unit of Alphabet, to expand its nuclear generation capacity. The project focuses on equipment upgrades across Georgia Power's share of the Vogtle and Hatch nuclear power plants.

The planned modifications aim to add approximately 96 megawatts of capacity by upgrading turbines, pumps, motors, and cooling systems. This approach allows the utility to boost generation from existing operating facilities without constructing new reactors.

Georgia Power stated that Google's subscription could generate around $900 million in projected customer benefits over the operating life of the units. The deal is structured so that customers not participating in the program do not bear the costs of the upgrades.

The arrangement remains subject to formal regulatory review and approval by the Georgia Public Service Commission before the utility can proceed with the upgrades.