By KERRY SMITH

Bechtel is on track to complete construction and commissioning of two hydrogen-based power plants co-located at existing nuclear power facilities in the U.S.

In Waynesboro, Ga., Georgia Power’s new AP1000 reactor is expected to begin operations in Q1 2024. Vogtle 4 (the fourth of four units at the site) will provide more than 1,100 megawatts of clean power to the grid. Unit 3, which came online in the summer of 2023, uses the same clean power technology developed by Westinghouse.

This expansion project received $12 billion in loan guarantees from the U.S. Dept. of Energy and supported 9,000 jobs at peak construction. Once all four Waynesboro reactors are operational, the complex will represent the largest source of clean power generation in the nation.

In northern Ohio, Bechtel is also constructing a nuclear power station to in conjunction with clean hydrogen production. The existing Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station in Oak Harbor, Ohio will tout electrolysis-based green hydrogen production whose customers will include electric vehicle bus fleets. Operations are anticipated to commence by late 2024.

Bechtel has designed and/or constructed more than 150 nuclear power plants worldwide.