Dive Brief:
Bechtel achieved a major construction milestone at the Vogtle Electric Generating Plant near Waynesboro, Georgia, this week when it set into place a passive containment cooling water tank. This, according to Bechtel, is the last major lift at the two-unit nuclear power plant, which is operated by Southern Nuclear, a subsidiary of Southern Co.
Brian Reilly, project director for Bechtel, said setting the tank in place represents the topping out of Unit 4's shield building. The passive containment cooling water tank measures 35 feet tall and has an 85-foot outer diameter. The tank module, which includes outfitting and rigging, weighs 360 tons.