Georgia Power's new energy resource expansion plan emphasizes sustainability and reliability.
Georgia Power has submitted a proposal to the Georgia Public Service Commission to certify approximately 9,900 MW of new energy resources to meet projected demands from 2029 through 2031. This initiative includes power purchase agreements, new natural gas generation, and battery energy storage systems. A separate request for an additional 1,886 MW aims to address immediate energy needs. While the proposal focuses on enhancing reliability and reducing carbon emissions, it faces criticism from environmental advocates concerned about the reliance on natural gas.
Atlanta — Georgia Power has submitted a significant proposal to the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) seeking certification for approximately 9,900 megawatts (MW) of new energy resources. This initiative, aimed at accommodating the projected energy demand from 2029 through 2031, aligns with the state’s growing energy needs.
The bulk of the proposed resources, roughly 8,000 MW, have been selected from competitive bids received during an “all-source” request for proposals (RFP). This RFP process was approved as part of the 2022 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) Final Order, which aimed to ensure an economical and efficient assessment of the proposals with help from PSC staff and an independent evaluator.
Among the proposals are power purchase agreements (PPAs) from existing energy resources along with developments related to new company-owned natural gas generation. Additionally, the filings make provisions for the incorporation of new battery energy storage systems (BESS) and combinations of BESS with solar energy.
In addition to the major filing, a separate request for certification has been made for an extra 1,886 MW of resources to meet more immediate energy needs that the all-source RFP may not satisfy. This secondary request includes PPAs from existing resources, further construction of BESS, and company-owned BESS systems paired with solar installations.
Georgia Power’s energy strategy is designed to enhance reliability during extreme temperature conditions and to provide for a growing state population. The latest plans reflect the state’s commitment to integrate more natural gas generation while also significantly reducing carbon emissions by over 60% since 2007.
The new proposal encompasses five additional combined cycle (CC) units that collectively will generate 3,692 MW, strategically located to maintain grid stability. Alongside this, construction is already in progress for 765 MW of new BESS spread across Bibb, Lowndes, Floyd, and Cherokee counties.
Georgia Power is also moving forward by seeking approval for ten new BESS facilities at eight different locations, collectively offering a capacity of 3,022.5 MW. Within the new strategy, two new solar systems paired with BESS are set to provide an additional combined capacity of 350 MW. Furthermore, eleven additional PPAs amounting to 2,821 MW have been included for generation from both new BESS facilities and natural gas generation.
Public hearings regarding these certification requests are scheduled for October and December, with a decision expected to be made by the PSC on December 19. However, the increasing reliance on natural gas has drawn criticism from environmental advocates, who caution against its potential to impact investment in renewable energy alternatives.
Georgia Power is actively addressing these concerns by focusing on improving the efficiency of renewable energy storage options, particularly through advancements in BESS technologies. These enhancements will facilitate the effective storage and management of renewable energy sources, such as solar, ensuring that the state continues to progress towards a more sustainable energy future.
The timeline for these developments reflects Georgia Power’s commitment to not only meet current and future energy demands but also to do so responsibly, keeping in mind the balance of energy sources and environmental impact.
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