The Vogtle-3 nuclear power plant in the US state of Georgia has begun commercial operation, becoming the first reactor to startup in the country since 2016. The project has seen delays and cost overruns, but has been welcomed by majority owner Georgia Power as part of a “reliable and resilient energy future”. Read our timeline of the project.

1970: Georgia Power, a unit of Atlanta-based gas and electric utility Southern Company, decides to build four nuclear reactors along the Savannah River bordering South Carolina.

1976: Construction officially begins after two of four reactors are cancelled. The facility is named after Alvin W. Vogtle, then chief executive officer of Southern Company. During World War II, Vogtle was a fighter pilot who was captured by German fighters and escaped from a prisoner of war camp on his fifth attempt.

1987: Vogtle-1, a 1,150 MW pressurised water reactor (PWR), begins commercial operation.

1989: Sister unit Vogtle-2 goes online. Originally projected to cost $660m, the two plants are eventually said to cost $8.9bn. Both units are Westinghouse designed.