Exciting Update: New In-Service Dates for Vogtle Units Revealed

Get ready for a glimpse into the latest developments of one of the most significant energy projects in the US! Southern Company's CEO, Tom Fanning, announced that the schedules for Vogtle units 3 and 4 have been adjusted to allow for any unexpected issues.

Construction work at the Vogtle site, pictured in January (Image: Georgia Power)

Unit 3 is now expected to enter service in May or June, while unit 4 will be operational by the end of this year or early 2024. But it hasn't been a smooth ride, as vibrations in the cooling system caused delays in the criticality process of unit 3. However, Fanning assures investors that the issues have been remediated, and the testing has resumed.

But that's not all! Southern Company is determined to deliver optimal performance and reduce risks associated with any potential issues that may arise. So, extra time has been added to the schedule to address these matters. Metal plates have been inserted into struts connected to the pipe to fix the vibration issue, while repositioning a flange associated with the valve has remedied the dripping valve problem. However, the third issue concerning flow rates through reactor coolant pumps is being investigated.

Despite these setbacks, the lessons learned from unit 3 are being applied to unit 4, ensuring a smoother process. Although the company could have proceeded with the startup program at unit 3, it preferred to fix issues before criticality is reached, ultimately avoiding any potential hazards.

Construction of Vogtle 3 began in March 2013, making it a significant project in the US energy sector. The two AP1000s are the first new nuclear units to be built in the US in over three decades. And Southern Company is determined to get it right, no matter the time and effort needed. As Fanning puts it, "We will not sacrifice safety or quality to meet schedules." The priority remains to provide reliable, carbon-free energy for Georgia for the next 60 to 80 years.

source: (WorldNuclearNews)

Comments

Meta and XGS Energy Partner on 150 MW Geothermal Power Project in New Mexico

Meta and XGS Energy Partner on 150 MW Geothermal Power Project in New Mexico A Game-Changer for AI, Clean Energy, and the Future By Robert Buluma – Alphaxioms Energy Blog In a bold move that signals the future of energy and technology convergence, XGS Energy and Meta Platforms, Inc. have announced a groundbreaking agreement to develop 150 megawatts (MW) of next-generation geothermal energy in New Mexico. This partnership not only promises to reshape the state's energy landscape but also underscores the growing demand for sustainable, round-the-clock power to fuel the age of artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven economies. Clean Power Without Water – XGS’s Unique Edge At the heart of this partnership lies XGS Energy’s proprietary solid-state geothermal technology. Unlike traditional geothermal systems that rely heavily on water and specific geological conditions, XGS’s innovation enables electricity production from hot, dry rock with zero operating water use. This water-inde...

Arverne’s New Geothermal Drill Could Unlock a Billion-Dollar Lithium Treasure

Arverne Launches First Geothermal Drilling for the Lithium de France Project in Alsace By: Robert Buluma Published: November 24, 2025 Location: Pau, France In a milestone moment for Europe’s geothermal and critical-minerals sectors, Arverne (ARVEN) — France’s leading geothermal solutions provider — has officially begun drilling the first geothermal doublet for the groundbreaking Lithium de France project in Schwabwiller, Alsace. This launch marks a major step toward establishing Europe’s first integrated geothermal-lithium production ecosystem. A New Chapter for European Geothermal Innovation According to the company, drilling operations have begun precisely on schedule following extensive site preparation. The geothermal doublet, which includes a production well and a reinjection well, will start at 10 meters apart on the surface and expand to nearly 1 kilometer of horizontal separation at a depth of 2,400 meters. This phase is crucial. The initial drilling campaign will verify...

Strataphy Raises $6M to Revolutionize AI and Industrial Cooling with Geothermal Technology

Strataphy Raises $6 Million to Revolutionize AI & Industrial Cooling with Geothermal Innovation November 25, 2025 Author: Robert Buluma In a major boost for sustainable infrastructure, Strataphy , a cutting-edge deep-tech company, has raised $6 million in seed funding to scale its revolutionary geothermal-based cooling technology across the Middle East and other high-temperature regions. The round was led by Outliers VC and Shorooq Partners , with additional participation from PlusVC . As artificial intelligence, hyperscale data centers, and industrial facilities continue to expand, cooling has become one of the biggest bottlenecks , especially in hot climates. In the Middle East, cooling consumes nearly 50% of total electricity use and constitutes a massive $120 billion market , with Saudi Arabia alone accounting for $13 billion . PrimeLoop™: Cooling Powered by Deep Subsurface Energy At the heart of Strataphy’s breakthrough is PrimeLoop™ , a proprietary subsurface cooling...

Saint-Denis Powers Up with New Geothermal Plant at Fort de l’Est

A New Geothermal Power Plant Inaugurated at Fort de l’Est: Saint-Denis Expands Its Green Energy Network By: Robert Buluma Saint-Denis has marked another major milestone in its clean energy journey with the inauguration of a brand-new geothermal power plant at Fort de l’Est on November 20, 2025. The facility, operated by Plaine Commune Énergie under the project management of SMIREC (Syndicat mixte des réseaux d'énergie calorifique) , is now set to deliver renewable, reliable, and low-carbon heating to thousands of local residents. The inauguration comes after two years of intensive work, reinforcing Saint-Denis’ position as a leading city in France’s transition toward sustainable energy systems. A Renewable, Local, and Emission-Free Energy Source The new geothermal plant taps directly into the natural heat stored beneath the ground. Using two geothermal wells drilled to a depth of 1,800 meters , the system extracts hot water from underground reservoirs. Instead of consuming th...

Unlocking America’s Hidden Power: Congressman Fulcher’s Bold Push for Geothermal Energy and Lower Energy Costs

Congressman Russ Fulcher Introduces Landmark Bill to Unlock Geothermal Energy and Lower Costs Across the U.S. By: Robert Buluma WASHINGTON, D.C., November 25, 2025 – U.S. Congressman Russ Fulcher (Idaho-01) has reintroduced a pivotal piece of legislation designed to accelerate geothermal energy development in the United States. The bill, H.R. 5576 – the Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act, aims to streamline the permitting and exploration process for geothermal projects, placing geothermal energy on par with oil and gas exploration on public lands. As energy demand in the United States surges, driven by rapid technological advancements, including artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, and high-capacity data centers, the need for reliable and clean baseload energy has never been more critical. Geothermal energy, a stable and renewable resource, offers a significant solution, yet its development has long been hampered by federal regulations and lengthy permitti...

5 km Deep and Back Again: United Downs Overcomes Pump Failure to Put UK’s First Geothermal Power Plant Within Weeks of First Electrons

United Downs: Britain’s First Deep Geothermal Power Plant Edges Closer to the Finish Line After High-Stakes Pump Swap at 5.2 km Cornwall, UK – November 2025 By: Robert Buluma Five kilometres beneath the rolling hills of Cornwall, in one of the deepest onshore wells ever drilled on British soil, a quiet but pivotal drama has just played out. After months of frustration, the failed downhole pump that threatened to derail the United Downs deep geothermal project – the UK’s first attempt to generate electricity from hot granite – has been pulled to surface. In its place, a new high-temperature Electrical Submersible Pump (ESP) supplied by SLB (formerly Schlumberger) is being readied for deployment 1,400 metres below the rig floor, inside a 5,275-metre production well that still holds the record as the deepest onshore borehole in the United Kingdom. The man at the centre of the operation, Ryan Law, Founder and CEO of Geothermal Engineering Ltd (GEL ), has been unusually candid on Linke...

WalterMart Powers 47 Malls with 47 MW of Geothermal Energy in Major Clean Energy Push

WalterMart Taps 47 MW of Geothermal Power From First Gen — A Major Win for the Philippines’ Clean Energy Transition By: Robert Buluma Image credit: First Gen Corporation WalterMart, one of the Philippines’ most recognizable retail groups, has taken another bold step toward a low-carbon future. The company has expanded its clean energy partnership with First Gen Corporation, securing 47 megawatts of geothermal power to supply 47 WalterMart malls, retail outlets, and hotels across Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Southern Luzon . Through this agreement, WalterMart reinforces its position as a retail leader embracing renewable energy at scale—sending a strong signal to other major chains that the shift toward green power is no longer optional, but strategic. A Retail Giant Powered by Geothermal Energy The 47-MW supply will come from the Unified Leyte Geothermal Power Plant , operated by Energy Development Corporation (EDC) , First Gen’s geothermal subsidiary and one of th...

“Europe’s Geothermal Future Turns a New Page: Inco-Drilling Lands Major Directional Drilling Contract in Northern Germany”

Inco-Drilling Secures Major Directional Drilling Contract in Northern Germany — A Landmark Moment for Europe’s Geothermal Future By : Robert Buluma The future of Europe’s clean-energy transition just received a powerful push forward — and Inco-Drilling is standing at the center of this transformative milestone. In a major announcement, Inco-Drilling revealed that it has been awarded the directional drilling services and supply of drilling bits for one of Northern Germany’s largest geothermal projects, an ambitious development comprising nearly ten wells. This achievement not only reinforces the company’s technological leadership but also marks a meaningful leap for geothermal energy adoption across the region. A Project That Shapes the Energy Landscape of Berlin and Beyond As Europe accelerates its shift toward sustainable and resilient energy systems, Germany is emerging as one of the continent’s strongest geothermal champions. The new project — expected to serve communiti...

SWU & Eavor Geothermal Project in Neu-Ulm/Senden Fully Cleared After Seismic Survey Success

Deep Geothermal Energy Breakthrough: Seismic Survey Results Clear Path for Sustainable Project in Neu-Ulm and Senden Published on November 28, 2025 By: Robert Buluma SWU seismic survey confirms no major faults in Neu-Ulm/Senden. Deep geothermal project with Eavor GmbH cleared for full development – clean, 24/7 renewable heat ahead! In the quest for clean, reliable energy sources, deep geothermal energy stands out as a game-changer. Imagine tapping into the Earth's natural heat reservoir endless, emission-free power available 24/7, unaffected by weather whims or fossil fuel fluctuations. That's the promise of deep geothermal energy, and today, we're thrilled to share a major milestone: the seismic survey results for a pioneering project in Neu-Ulm and Senden, Germany. Conducted by SWU Stadtwerke Ulm/Neu-Ulm GmbH , the findings confirm no major underground faults, greenlighting unrestricted progress. This isn't just good news for the regionit's a blueprint for sust...

University of Rhode Island Pioneers Sustainable Energy: Ocean Frontiers Building Powered by Geothermal Innovation

URI Embraces Geothermal Innovation: Ocean Frontiers Building to Run on Clean, Subsurface Energy By: Robert Buluma The University of Rhode Island (URI) is taking bold strides toward a low-carbon future — and geothermal energy is at the heart of its latest breakthrough. As part of the Narragansett Bay Campus revitalization, the new Ocean Frontiers Building will be powered by a cutting-edge geothermal heating and cooling system, replacing the aging Horn Laboratory with a modern hub for ocean science research. With institutions around the world racing to decarbonize, URI’s geothermal leap stands as a model for sustainable campus infrastructure, demonstrating both scientific rigor and forward-thinking environmental stewardship. Tapping the Earth for Clean Power Beginning in early 2024, URI’s Facilities Group initiated discussions on integrating geothermal energy into the campus. After assessing feasibility, the team drilled an 850-foot geothermal test well — a deep subsurface p...

ALPHAXIOMS Geothermal News & Energy Research

Search This Blog