In Plant Vogtle Construction, More Delays Likely, State Regulators’ Staff Say

Plant Vogtle’s expansion is not likely to meet its current construction deadlines, according to Georgia Public Service Commission staff analysis released Friday.

Vogtle, in Waynesboro, Georgia, is the only nuclear power plant under construction in the country. It is at nearly double its original budget and five years behind schedule. The company set a new baseline schedule last spring, which commission staff is calling over-aggressive and unachievable.

That schedule features a completion date range of May to November 2021 deadline for Unit 3 and May to November 2022 for Unit 4. Commission staff consultant Don Grace said the May dates “cannot be achieved,” and that “unless performance improves significantly,” the November dates “are significantly challenged.”