Georgia Power Wins Approval to Add 2.3 Gigawatts of Renewables in Long-Term Plan

The Georgia Public Service Commission on July 16 approved Georgia Power’s integrated resource plan, allowing the company to invest in 80 megawatts of battery storage and increase its renewable generation by 72 percent over the next five years.

The IRP calls for 2,260 megawatts of new renewables, increasing the capacity to 5,390 megawatts by 2024 and 22 percent of the utility’s energy mix. The plan also includes energy efficiency targets that are 15 percent higher than the company’s previous resource plans with innovative conservation programs for residential and commercial customers. The utility intends to continue with its environmental compliance strategy closing all 29 coal ash ponds.

The plan calls for closing four coal generation units at Plant Hammond and one unit at Plant McIntosh, lowering Georgia Power’s coal-fired capacity to about half of what it was in 2005. Hammond and McIntosh plants have a capacity of 800 megawatts and 163 megawatts, respectively. The company has requested decertification of the plants citing “continued economic pressure felt on coal-fired units”.

The company will advance five hydro investment projects at the Terrora, Tugalo, Bartletts Ferry, Nacoochee and Oliver generating facilities. Georgia Power said it will not renew its operating licenses for the Estatoah, Langdale, and Riverview hydro dams.

Georgia Power is a subsidiary of Southern Company.