In a historic moment for U.S. energy, Georgia’s Plant Vogtle flipped the switch on two new nuclear reactors—Units 3 and 4—in 2023 and 2024, the first built in the country in over 30 years. The $8.3 billion project, shared at an energy conference in May 2025 by Betsy Higgins, CFO of Oglethorpe Power, overcame major hurdles to deliver clean power, but it came with a hefty price tag and years of delays.

A Big Bet on Nuclear

The project kicked off in 2005 when Georgia Power, Southern Company, and local utilities teamed up to expand Vogtle, a nuclear site running since the 1980s. They planned to build two reactors for $4.2 billion, expecting to finish by 2016 and 2017. A contract with Westinghouse was meant to keep costs in check, and government incentives, like tax credits, fueled their ambition to boost clean energy.

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A Rocky Road

Trouble started early. In 2011, Japan’s Fukushima disaster raised global fears about nuclear power, slowing progress. At Vogtle, builders found the soil wasn’t stable enough, forcing costly fixes despite the site’s history. Government approvals dragged, and they had to relocate protected wildlife, adding time. Contractors, including Shaw, Chicago Bridge & Iron, and Westinghouse, kept changing, creating chaos.

In 2017, Westinghouse filed for bankruptcy, and its parent, Toshiba, nearly collapsed. A $4 billion Toshiba guarantee kept the project alive, but costs were soaring. By 2019, with up to 8,000 workers on-site, finding skilled labor was tough. When COVID-19 hit in 2020, Georgia’s rules allowed work to continue with on-site medical support, helping the team push through.

Crossing the Finish Line

The project switched to a new contract with Southern Nuclear and Bechtel, giving more flexibility to manage rising costs. Unit 3 began generating power in July 2023, followed by Unit 4 in 2024. The final cost hit $8.3 billion—twice the original plan—and finished seven years late. Each kilowatt cost $11,000 to install, or about 16 cents per kilowatt-hour, though tax credits for eight years lower it to 14 cents.

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The reactors now produce enough clean energy to power 500,000 homes, boosting the group’s emission-free energy share from 32% to 44%. Higgins, reflecting on the effort, said they tackled a global nuclear scare, a contractor bankruptcy, huge cost overruns, and a pandemic to get it done. When talk of a fifth unit came up, she suggested they’re happy to celebrate this win for now.

Why It Stands Out?

Vogtle’s reactors are a big deal for clean energy, offering steady, zero-carbon power at a time when energy demand is climbing. The project leaned on government support, like loans and tax credits, to cross the finish line.

What’s Ahead?

Vogtle’s success could inspire more nuclear projects, though its challenges highlight the need for better planning. The U.S. is eyeing more clean energy to meet growing needs, and Vogtle’s reactors are now a key part of that mix, delivering reliable power while cutting emissions. For Georgia, it’s a proud milestone after a long, tough journey.

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