Google and Georgia Power agree to add 96 megawatts of nuclear capacity

Alphabet Inc.'s Google and Southern Company's subsidiary, Georgia Power, signed an agreement on September 21, 2026, to add approximately 96 megawatts of nuclear capacity. Google will fund equipment upgrades, known as uprates, at the Vogtle and Hatch nuclear plants in Georgia to meet rising electricity demand from data centers. Pending approval from the Georgia Public Service Commission, the deal is structured to shield non-participating customers from costs while providing $900 million in projected benefits.

Google-Georgia Power nuclear capacity agreement

• ▪The agreement between Google and Georgia Power to fund nuclear plant upgrades is pending approval from the Georgia Public Service Commission
• ▪Alphabet Inc.'s Google and Southern Company's unit, Georgia Power, signed an agreement on September 21, 2026, to fund capacity upgrades at the Vogtle and Hatch nuclear plants in Georgia
• ▪The September 21, 2026 agreement between Google and Georgia Power aims to add approximately 96 megawatts of electricity capacity to the Vogtle and Hatch nuclear plants

Data center electricity demand growth

• ▪Alphabet Inc. agreed to finance the approximately 96 megawatts of nuclear capacity increases at the Vogtle and Hatch nuclear plants in Georgia specifically to address a jump in electricity demand driven by data centers
• ▪Surging electricity demand from data centers and other large users is driving increased interest in expanding existing nuclear plants to secure round-the-clock, carbon-free power

Nuclear plant uprate technology

• ▪An uprate expands power output from a nuclear reactor by replacing or modifying mechanical gear to produce more electricity from existing plant infrastructure
• ▪Google's subscription under the September 21, 2026 agreement with Georgia Power is projected to enable approximately $900 million in benefits to Georgia Power customers over the life of the Vogtle and Hatch nuclear units

Debatable claims

• ▪Nuclear uprates are a safe and effective way to expand clean energy capacity
• ▪The Georgia Public Service Commission should approve the Google-Georgia Power nuclear agreement