The Vogtle-4 nuclear power plant in the US state of Georgia has reached first criticality, a key step during the startup testing sequence that paves the way for planned commercial operation during the second quarter of 2024.
First criticality 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. A reactor achieves criticality when the nuclear fission reaction becomes self-sustaining.
Georgia Power said in a statement that operators will continue to raise power to support synchronising the plant to the grid and begin producing electricity. Then, operators will continue increasing power through multiple steps, ultimately raising power to 100%.