Google agreement to support Georgia plant uprates

The uprates will be achieved through a process that increases the electrical output of a nuclear generating unit through targeted modifications and upgrades to key plant equipment, such as turbines, pumps, motors, and cooling systems, known as an Extended Power Uprate, or EPU. This enables the reactor to operate at a higher licensed thermal power level, producing additional heat that increases steam flow to the turbine generator, meaning the plant can generate more electricity from the existing reactor fuel design and plant infrastructure.

The agreement, which is subject to approval by the Georgia Public Service Commission, is included in two filings (Docket 44280 and Docket 56002) lodged with the Commission by Georgia Power on 21 September. The filings also include a new Nuclear Uprate (NU-1) tariff structure as well as a request to approve a new EPU for the two units at Hatch (an EPU for Vogtle units 1 and 2 was previously approved by the commission in the company's 2025 Integrated Resource Plan).

Although the dockets are publicly available, the document containing the subscriptions agreement has been redacted in its entirety. However, Georgia Power says the subscription-based programme "is an innovation on longstanding, successful renewable energy programmes that Georgia Power has offered for years". As part of the transaction, Google will subscribe to the new NU-1 tariff and receive the Zero-Emission Credits representing the carbon-free attributes of the nuclear energy associated with the power generated by the nuclear unit uprates. This structure also helps protect non-participating customers from incremental costs related to the uprate work, the company added.

"Many of our large customers have specific clean energy goals, and we continue to work with the Georgia PSC to create programmes that not only help them meet their goals, but align with our Customer Protection Pledge, enhancing the reliability and resiliency of the power grid and creating savings for all customers," said Aaron Mitchell, Senior Vice President of Strategic Growth for Georgia Power. "We appreciate Google's continued leadership in this space and partnership in developing this programme, which we see as the latest example of how large-load growth can benefit all electric customers."

This is the latest in a series of agreements signed by Google securing long-term power from nuclear plants in the USA and overseas. Earlier this month, Google signed a long-term power purchase agreement with Finland's Fortum covering up to 50% of the Loviisa nuclear power plant's capacity up to 2050, while a 25-year power purchase agreement is one of two agreements between NextEra Energy and Google underpinning the planned restart of the Duane Arnold Energy Center in Iowa.

Lucia Tian, Director, Advanced Energy Technologies at Google, said the company's data centres are "long-term investments in the communities we call home", where they catalyse local economic development as well as accelerating clean energy deployment. "They also serve as a proof point for how we can unlock the significant opportunity to bring online new nuclear power through expanding the capacity of the existing nuclear fleet," she added. "This collaboration with Georgia Power ensures that digital infrastructure growth goes hand-in-hand with positive local impact, helping to deliver hundreds of millions of dollars in direct customer benefits and supporting a more affordable, clean, and reliable energy system for all Georgia residents."

The Edwin I Hatch nuclear power plant is home to two boiling water reactors that entered service in the mid-to-late 1970s and recently received regulatory clearance to operate until the mid-2050s. The four-unit Plant Vogtle is home to two pressurised water reactors - units 1 and 2 - which entered service in the late 1980s and are currently licensed to operate until the mid-2040s, as well as two AP1000 pressurised water reactors, Vogtle 3 and 4, connected to the grid in 2023 and 2024 respectively.