Google to fund Georgia nuclear reactor upgrades for carbon-free energy

Google has reached an agreement with Georgia Power to finance the repowering of four nuclear reactors in Georgia, aiming to provide approximately 100 MW of carbon-free energy starting in 2028.

The Georgia Public Service Commission approved the deal, which functions as a subscription program rather than a traditional power purchase agreement. Under this arrangement, Google will pay an additional fee on its electricity bill to cover the costs of upgrading older reactors at Plant Vogtle and Plant Hatch. In exchange, Google will receive credits toward its goal of operating on 24/7 carbon-free energy by 2030.

Georgia Power projects that the upgrades will add 96 MW of nuclear capacity to the grid and generate approximately $900 million in benefits for customers over the lifetime of the units. While the specific contract details, such as the exact price per megawatt and risk distribution, have not been made public, the move is intended to provide reliable, continuous base-load power that complements intermittent sources like solar and wind.