A nuclear reactor vessel has been successfully placed inside Georgia Power’s Plant Vogtle Unit 3 island.
The 306t reactor vessel was lifted into place by construction contractors Westinghouse and Fluor Corp. South Korean company Doosan Heavy Industries carried out fabrication work on the reactor vessel, which was shipped to the Port of Savannah and moved to the construction site by train on a specialised rail car.
The 35ft reactor vessel will serve as a heat source to produce steam for electricity generation. It is expected to provide power for homes and businesses throughout Georgia.
Southern Company Construction's executive vice-president Mark Rauckhorst said: "The safe placement of the Unit 3 reactor vessel, the first to be placed in our state in decades, inside the nuclear island is a tremendous milestone for the Vogtle project.
"With this placement, the unit is one step closer to completion and entering service."
The Plant Vogtle expansion is part of Georgia Powers’ strategic plan, which will enable the company to offer clean, reliable, and affordable energy.
Following the completion of the Units 3 and 4, the Plant Vogtle is expected to produce more electricity than any current US nuclear facility. The first two units are already in operation.
