The Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Plant
Baxley, Georgia
Energy generation type:
Nuclear
Jointly owned:
Georgia Power (50.1%), Oglethorpe Power Corporation (30%), Municipal Electrical Authority of Georgia (17.7%), and Dalton Utilities (2.2%)
Operated by:
Southern Nuclear
Units 1 & 2
Construction began:
1968
Commercial operation:
Unit 1: December, 1975
Unit 2: September, 1979
Reactor type:
Westinghouse 4-loop
Pressurized Water Reactor
Total generating capacity:
~ 1,848 MW
Plant Hatch is one of Georgia Power's two nuclear facilities. Unlike Plant Vogtle, which was built with the option to expand, there are currently no plans to enlarge the Plant Hatch facilities.
Construction of the plant began in 1968. Unit 1 began commercial operation in December 1975. Unit 2 began commercial operation in September 1979. The total cost of the plant was $934 million.
Units 1 and 2 are rated at 924 megawatts (Mw) each. The plant is powered by boiling water reactors supplied by General Electric Company. The containment building, which houses the reactor, reactor coolant system and other nuclear-related components, is constructed of reinforced concrete and carbon steel.
The plant was named for Edwin I. Hatch, president of Georgia Power from 1963 to 1975. He served as chairman of the company from 1975 until his retirement in 1978.
Plant Hatch Facts
In 2002, Plant Hatch's operating license was extended by the NRC for an additional 20 years.
In 2008, Hatch earned accreditation renewal of all Operations and Engineering training programs by the National Nuclear Accrediting Board. The Board renewed the four-year accreditation of the following programs:
- Engineering Personnel
- System Operator
- Reactor Operator
- Senior Reactor Operator
- Shift Manager
- Continuing training for licensed personnel
- Shift Technical Advisor
Plant Hatch has been a certified Wildlife Habitat Council Wildlife at WorkSM site since 1994. Approximately 200 acres have been replanted with native long-leaf pine. Plant Hatch also participates in bluebird and purple martin nesting programs.
Plant Hatch has entered into a Safe Harbor Agreement with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for the red-cockaded woodpecker, a federal endangered species. This Safe Harbor Agreement ensures that adequate habitat will be provided and managed properly for the red-cockaded woodpecker.