Southern Co.'s ( NYSE: SO ) Georgia Power said Wednesday that startup of the Plant Vogtle Unit 3 nuclear power plant will be delayed after pre-operational testing identified a vibrating pipe in the cooling system .
Georgia Power said the pipe needs to be braced with additional support, and the vibration is "not a safety issue."
The company said the reactor at the plant is now scheduled to begin generating electricity for the grid in April, after previously providing a startup deadline of March; the delay will add ~$30M to the project's overall cost.
Southern Nuclear Operating Company plans to file a license amendment request with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to help expedite the process.
Georgia Power is building Vogtle units 3 and 4, which will be the first new nuclear units built in the U.S. in more than three decades; radioactive fuel was loaded into the third reactor in October .
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Georgia Power to delay nuclear plant startup one month due to vibrating pipe