Unit 3 at the Vogtle nuclear power station in Georgia has reached 100% power, marking a major milestone towards commercial operation, scheduled for next month.

The full power milestone marks the maximum energy the unit is licensed to produce in the reactor core and is the first time the Westinghouse-supplied AP1000 unit has reached its expected output of approximately 1,100 MW, which can power an estimated 500,000 homes and businesses.

Georgia Power said Vogtle-3 is undergoing testing through the full range of plant operations, including safely running at various power levels and operating through real-life conditions just as it will over the next 60 to 80 years after the unit enters commercial operation.