Google and Georgia Power have reached an agreement to increase electricity production from two existing nuclear plants in Georgia, adding approximately 96MW of new capacity. The deal comes as electricity demand rises rapidly, particularly from AI and data centres, and will involve upgrades rather than construction of new reactors.
The upgrades will target Vogtle Units 1 and 2 and Hatch Units 1 and 2, using extended power uprates that involve modifications to equipment such as turbines, pumps, motors and cooling systems. These improvements allow existing reactors to generate more electricity using the current plant infrastructure and fuel design.
Google will subscribe to a new Nuclear Uprate tariff and fund the additional capacity through the arrangement, while receiving the associated Zero-Emission Credits. Georgia Power projects approximately $900 million in benefits for customers over the operating life of the units, while the structure is designed to prevent non-participating customers from bearing the incremental costs of the upgrades. The agreement still requires approval from the Georgia Public Service Commission.
The agreement highlights a growing strategy of using existing nuclear plants to meet rapidly rising electricity demand, rather than waiting years for new reactors to be built. It also adds to Google’s expanding nuclear-energy strategy, which includes agreements to secure long-term nuclear power as the company expands its data-centre infrastructure and seeks reliable, carbon-free electricity.