April 3 (Reuters) - U.S. utility Georgia Power Co said on Saturday that its Vogtle 3 nuclear reactor in Burke County, Georgia, was connected to the power grid to undergo testing before entering commercial operation in May or June.
The utility, owned by U.S. energy company Southern Co , has previously postponed the timing and raised its cost estimates for the only two nuclear power units under construction in the United States.
The utility said Vogtle Unit 3 had generated electricity for the first time, after reaching initial criticality last month where nuclear reaction produces steam inside the reactor.
The other unit, Vogtle 4, had started hot functional testing last month before initial fuel load, and is expected to enter service between late fourth quarter this year and first quarter in 2024, it added. (Reporting by Deep Vakil in Bengaluru; Editing by Aurora Ellis)
