Google Backs Nuclear Expansion at Georgia Power Plants

By Charles Kennedy - Sep 21, 2026

Georgia Power and Google have struck an agreement aimed at expanding the output of two of Georgia’s nuclear power stations as technology companies seek growing volumes of reliable, low-carbon electricity for data centers.

Under the proposed arrangement, Google would subscribe to power associated with uprates at the Vogtle and Hatch nuclear plants. Georgia Power estimates the upgrades could add approximately 96 megawatts of generating capacity to the state’s electric grid.

The agreement still requires approval from the Georgia Public Service Commission.

Georgia Power said Google’s participation is expected to produce around $900 million in projected benefits for customers over the operating lives of the nuclear units. The structure is also intended to prevent customers that are not participating in the program from bearing additional costs associated with the upgrades.

Google would participate through a newly proposed Nuclear Uprate tariff and receive zero-emission credits representing the carbon-free attributes of electricity generated by the incremental nuclear capacity.

The utility has also asked regulators to approve an extended power uprate for Units 1 and 2 at Plant Hatch. Uprates for Vogtle Units 1 and 2 were previously approved as part of Georgia Power’s 2025 Integrated Resource Plan.

Nuclear uprates increase the output of existing reactors through equipment modifications, including upgrades to turbines, pumps, motors and cooling systems. The approach can add generation without requiring construction of an entirely new reactor.

The deal highlights the widening role of large technology companies in financing new electricity supply as artificial intelligence and data-center expansion pushes U.S. power demand higher. Nuclear energy has become particularly attractive to hyperscale operators because it can provide around-the-clock electricity while helping companies meet emissions targets.

For Georgia Power, the arrangement also offers a way to extract additional capacity from its existing nuclear fleet after the completion of Vogtle Units 3 and 4 transformed the site into the largest nuclear power station in the United States.

Nuclear power supplied more than one-quarter of the electricity generated in Georgia last year, according to Georgia Power.

The agreement follows a broader trend of technology companies seeking direct or indirect access to nuclear generation, including deals involving existing reactors, planned reactor restarts and advanced nuclear projects.

Google said the Georgia arrangement could demonstrate how growing electricity demand from digital infrastructure can help finance additional output from the existing U.S. nuclear fleet rather than relying exclusively on new generating facilities.

Georgia Power serves about 2.8 million customers and is the largest electric utility subsidiary of Southern Company.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com