What is the current status of Vogtle Unit 3?

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SUMMARY

Vogtle Unit 3 has successfully reached initial criticality as of March 6, 2023, marking a significant milestone in its startup testing sequence. This achievement indicates that operators have initiated the nuclear reaction within the reactor for the first time, generating nuclear heat for steam production. Vogtle Unit 3 is notable for being the first Westinghouse AP1000 reactor in the United States, with prior units operating successfully in China. The reactor was added to the list of active nuclear power plants monitored by the US NRC on October 13, 2022.

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gmax137
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https://www.georgiapower.com/compan...arted the nuclear reaction inside the reactor.

"March 6, 2023
Georgia Power today announced that Vogtle Unit 3 has safely reached initial criticality. Initial criticality is a key step during the startup testing sequence and demonstrates that -- for the first time -- operators have safely started the nuclear reaction inside the reactor. This means atoms are being split and nuclear heat is being made, which will be used to produce steam..."

EDIT: Note Vogtle 3 is the first Westinghouse AP1000 in the US. Several have been completed and are operating in China
 
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