Georgia Power agreement with Google to provide approximately $900 million in projected benefits for customers and advance nuclear energy in Georgia
Google will back nuclear uprates at Vogtle and Hatch, with Georgia Power projecting about $900 million in long-term customer benefits.
Rhea-AI Summary
Georgia Power (subsidiary of SO) has entered into an agreement with Google, subject to Georgia Public Service Commission approval, under which Google will support nuclear uprates at Plants Vogtle and Hatch to add approximately 96 megawatts of new capacity for Georgia Power customers.
Google’s subscription is expected to enable approximately $900 million in projected benefits for customers over the life of the units. The filings include a new Nuclear Uprate (NU-1) tariff and a request to approve an extended power uprate (EPU) for Plant Hatch 1 & 2, while an EPU for Plant Vogtle 1 & 2 has already been approved in the 2025 Integrated Resource Plan. Under the NU-1 tariff, Google would receive Zero-Emission Credits representing the carbon-free attributes of the added nuclear output.
Positive
- Projected customer benefits of approximately $900 million over the life of the nuclear units
- Nuclear uprates at Plants Vogtle and Hatch to add about 96 MW of capacity for Georgia Power customers
- Google subscription under new NU-1 tariff delivers Zero-Emission Credits while structure is designed to shield non-participating customers from incremental uprate costs
Negative
- None.
News Explained
The proposed Georgia Power–Google program would use extended power uprates—targeted equipment modifications that raise a nuclear unit’s licensed output while retaining its existing fuel design and infrastructure—to generate additional electricity; PSC approval remains pending.
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
New filings with the Georgia Public Service Commission outline how Google's subscription from proposed or planned nuclear uprates at Plants Hatch and Vogtle will benefit all customers
Under the agreement, which is subject to approval by the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC), Google will support uprates on Georgia Power's owned portion of the nuclear units at Plants Vogtle and Hatch that will allow the facilities to add approximately 96 megawatts of new capacity to the electric grid to serve Georgia Power customers. Google's subscription is expected to enable approximately
The agreement is included in filings (Docket 44280, Docket 56002) made today at the Georgia PSC. The filings also include a new Nuclear Uprate (NU-1) tariff structure as well as a request to approve a new extended power uprate (EPU) for Plant Hatch 1 & 2. An EPU for Plant Vogtle 1 & 2 was previously approved by the Georgia PSC in the 2025 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP).
An EPU is a proven 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. These enhancements enable the reactor to operate at a higher licensed thermal power level, producing additional heat that increases steam flow to the turbine generator. As a result, the unit generates more electricity while continuing to utilize the existing reactor fuel design and plant infrastructure.
"Many of our large customers have specific clean energy goals, and we continue to work with the Georgia PSC to create programs 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 program, which we see as the latest example of how large-load growth can benefit all electric customers."
"Google data centers are long-term investments in the communities we call home, catalyzing local economic development and 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," said Lucia Tian, Director, Advanced Energy Technologies, Google. "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
The subscription-based program is an innovation on longstanding, successful renewable energy programs that Georgia Power has offered for years. As part of this transaction, Google will subscribe to the new NU-1 tariff and receive the Zero-Emission Credits (ZECs), which represent the carbon-free attributes of nuclear energy, associated with the power generated by the nuclear unit uprates. This structure, which also helps protect non-participating customers from incremental costs related to the uprate work, was originally contemplated as part of the 2025 IRP.
Visit www.GeorgiaPower.com/NuclearEnergy to learn more about nuclear energy and
About Georgia Power
Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America's premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company's promise to 2.8 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Georgia Power offers rates below the national average, focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and the company is recognized by J.D. Power as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), X (X.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power).
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain information contained in this release is forward-looking information based on current expectations and plans that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information includes, among other things, statements concerning the expected benefits of the Google agreement. Georgia Power cautions that there are certain factors that can cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information that has been provided. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is not a guarantee of future performance and is subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of Georgia Power; accordingly, there can be no assurance that such suggested results will be realized. The following factors, in addition to those discussed in Georgia Power's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2026 and June 30, 2026 and subsequent securities filings, could cause actual results to differ materially from management expectations as suggested by such forward-looking information: state and federal rate regulations and the impact of pending and future rate cases and negotiations, including rate actions relating to return on equity, equity ratios, additional generating capacity and transmission facilities and fuel and other cost recovery mechanisms; the impact of recent and future federal and state legal and regulatory changes, including tax, environmental and other laws and regulations to which Georgia Power is subject, as well as changes in application of existing laws, regulations and guidance; current and future litigation or regulatory investigations, proceedings or inquiries; available sources and costs of natural gas and other fuels and commodities; the ability to control costs and avoid cost and schedule overruns during the development, construction and operation of facilities or other projects; the ability to successfully operate Georgia Power's generation, transmission and distribution facilities and the successful performance of necessary corporate functions; the inherent risks involved in operating nuclear generating facilities; the ability of counterparties of Georgia Power to make payments as and when due and to perform as required; the direct or indirect effect on Georgia Power's business resulting from cyber intrusion or physical attack and the threat of cyber and physical attacks; global and U.S. economic conditions, including impacts from geopolitical conflicts, recession, inflation, changes in trade policies (including tariffs and other trade measures) of the United States and other countries, interest rate fluctuations and financial market conditions and the results of financing efforts; catastrophic events such as fires, including wildfires, land movement, earthquakes, explosions, floods, high winds, tornadoes, hurricanes and other storms, solar flares, droughts, future epidemic or pandemic health events, wars, political unrest or other similar occurrences; and the direct or indirect effects on Georgia Power's business resulting from incidents affecting the U.S. electric grid or operation of generating resources. Georgia Power expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information.
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SOURCE Georgia Power
FAQ
AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
What regulatory approvals are needed for the Georgia Power and Google nuclear uprate agreement?
The agreement between Georgia Power and Google is subject to approval by the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC). New filings in Dockets 44280 and 56002 ask the PSC to approve the Nuclear Uprate (NU-1) tariff and a new extended power uprate (EPU) for Plant Hatch 1 & 2. An EPU for Plant Vogtle 1 & 2 has already been approved in the 2025 Integrated Resource Plan.
What is an extended power uprate (EPU) and how does it increase nuclear output?
An extended power uprate (EPU) is a process that raises the electrical output of a nuclear unit through targeted modifications and upgrades to equipment such as turbines, pumps, motors and cooling systems. These enhancements allow the reactor to operate at a higher licensed thermal power level, producing more heat that increases steam flow to the turbine generator. The unit then generates more electricity while continuing to use the existing reactor fuel design and plant infrastructure.
How will Google participate in the NU-1 program and what does it receive?
Under the transaction, Google will subscribe to the new Nuclear Uprate (NU-1) tariff. Google will receive the Zero-Emission Credits (ZECs) associated with the power generated by the nuclear unit uprates, which represent the carbon-free attributes of the additional nuclear energy.
How does the NU-1 structure address costs for non-participating customers?
The NU-1 structure is described as helping to protect non-participating customers from incremental costs related to the uprate work. The subscription-based design builds on Georgia Power’s longstanding renewable energy programs and is intended to ensure that the cost impacts of the uprates are not shifted to customers who do not participate in the program.
Where can customers learn more about nuclear energy and Georgia’s nuclear plants?
Customers can learn more about nuclear energy and Georgia’s two nuclear plants by visiting www.GeorgiaPower.com/NuclearEnergy, which provides additional information on Georgia Power’s nuclear facilities and their role in the state’s energy mix.