Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant
| Company type | Nuclear power plant |
|---|---|
| Industry | Energy |
| Founded | 1970 |
| Headquarters | Near Dothan , United States |
Area served | Southern United States |
| Owner | Alabama Power Company |
| Parent | Southern Company |
The Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Generating Plant is situated near Dothan, Alabama in the southern region of the United States. This dual-unit nuclear facility is positioned on a predominantly forested and agricultural tract along the Chattahoochee River, approximately south of Columbia, Alabama within Houston County.
History
The facility bears the name of Joseph McConnell Farley, who previously served as president of Alabama Power (the plant’s owner) and CEO of Southern Nuclear Operating Company, both subsidiaries under the umbrella of Southern Company. Construction commenced in 1970 with Fluor Corporation acting as the primary contractor. Commercial operations began for Unit 1 in December 1977, followed by Unit 2 entering service in July 1981. The overall capital expenditure for the project was around $1.57 billion. On May 12, 2005, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission granted license renewals for both reactors; Unit 1’s authorization extends until June 25, 2037, while Unit 2’s license remains valid through March 31, 2041.
Technology
This power station utilizes two Westinghouse reactors:
- Unit 1: 2,821 MWt
- Unit 2: 2,821 MWt
Each unit employs a three-loop pressurized water reactor design and is cooled by six mechanical draft cooling towers that draw water from the Chattahoochee River.
Electricity production
| Year | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Annual Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 1,272,449 | 1,024,560 | 631,182 | 601,606 | 1,015,546 | 1,120,971 | 1,242,453 | 1,243,931 | 1,210,190 | 721,817 | 850,739 | 1,224,872 | 12,160,316 |
| 2002 | 1,264,235 | 1,152,381 | 1,266,258 | 1,212,829 | 1,203,778 | 1,199,073 | 1,234,644 | 1,229,609 | 845,801 | 604,939 | 1,231,118 | 1,240,922 | 13,685,587 |
| 2003 | 1,278,594 | 1,150,277 | 1,196,601 | 607,222 | 1,139,920 | 1,207,113 | 1,205,537 | 1,241,148 | 1,212,396 | 1,268,783 | 1,190,810 | 1,283,597 | 13,981,998 |
| 2004 | 1,281,366 | 1,197,109 | 808,327 | 862,698 | 1,270,211 | 1,233,926 | 1,260,644 | 1,261,983 | 1,197,407 | 641,474 | 845,434 | 1,287,406 | 13,147،985 |
| 2005 | 1،286،064 | 1،163،063 | 1،286،011 | 1،225،931 | 1،239،120 | 1،170،429 | 1،270،228 | 1،270،240 | 1،194،870 | 846،957 | 604،440 | 1،180،984 | 13،738،337 |
Ownership
- Farley Unit 1
- Owner = Alabama Power Company (entirely)
- Operator (Licensee) = Southern Nuclear Operating Company
- Farley Unit 2
- Owner = Alabama Power Company (100%)
- Operator (Licensee) = Southern Nuclear Operating Company
Surrounding population
The NRC defines two emergency planning zones around nuclear facilities: a 10-mile plume exposure pathway zone concerned with airborne radioactive hazards and a broader 50-mile ingestion pathway zone that addresses risks from contaminated food and beverages.
As of 2010 data: within a 10-mile radius of Farley plant resided 11,842 individuals—a population increase of 8.0% over ten years. The area within 50 miles had a population of 421,374 people reflecting a growth rate of 6.1% since 2000. Nearby urban centers include Dothan located roughly 17 miles away.
Seismic risk
According to an NRC assessment conducted in 2010,the likelihood annually of an earthquake severe enough to cause core damage at Farley is estimated at about one in 35‚714.
External links
- Southern Company – Plant Farley
- Energy Information Administration (DOE) – (Joseph M.) Farley Nuclear Power Plant, Alabama
- U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission – Farley 1 Pressurized Water Reactor
- U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission – Farley 2 Pressurized Water Reactor