May 13 (Reuters) - Utility firm Southern Co said on Monday insider Pete Sena will be the next CEO of its subsidiary, Southern Nuclear, after Stephen Kuczynski's retirement, which is effective June 28.

Southern Nuclear operates eight nuclear energy units in Alabama and Georgia.

WHY IT IS IMPORTANT

The unit had recently achieved commercial operation on Vogtle 3 and 4 nuclear reactors, considered the first newly-built reactors since Watts Bar Unit 1 which started operations in 1996.

CONTEXT

President Joe Biden passed the largest climate change legislation in U.S. history in 2022, meant to touch off a boom in American clean energy development including nuclear.

Sena became the president of Southern Nuclear in 2023 after joining in 2019 as executive vice president and chief nuclear officer (CNO). Before joining Southern Nuclear, he held a number of leadership positions at First Energy and later Public Service Enterprise Group including serving as CNO for both companies.

KEY QUOTES

"When Sena assumes the additional roles of chairman and CEO, he will oversee the operation of over 8,400 MW of nuclear power across Plant Farley in Alabama, and both Plants Hatch and Vogtle Units 1-4 in Georgia," the company said. (Reporting by Tanay Dhumal in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)