Georgia embraces 'all of the above' strategy Image By EPN Staff Key Points Georgia regulators approved an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy, adding 4,000 MW of renewables, 1,500 MW of storage, new natural gas and hydropower, and keeping 4,000 MW of coal online until 2038. The Georgia PSC froze base rates through 2028, meaning new projects won’t hit customer bills until at least 2029, although fuel and storm charges can still raise costs. The plan reflects tension between managing rapid load growth (driven largely by data centers) and preventing speculative overbuilding, with critics warning of too many long-term investments. Georgia regulators approved an all-of-the-above strategy for power generation that adds 4,000 megawatts of renewable energy, 1,500 MW of battery storage and investments in natural gas and hydropower. The mix of power sources is on top of 4,000 MW the commission said Georgia Power could keep generating at two coal plants which had been slated for closure but will now stay open through 2038, likely with the eventual addition of natural gas co-firing. “The final, approved plan will allow the company to continue to meet the energy needs of customers and support the state’s expected continued extraordinary growth,” Georgia Power said in a statement. Public Service Commissioner Tim Echols said he would have liked to see more renewable energy in the plan, but “with unprecedented grid growth ahead for Georgia, this Integrated Resource Plan puts us on the right path to meet everyone’s needs.” Why it matters Regulators across the country are grappling with how to handle new large-load additions driving demand expectations without passing too many infrastructure costs on to existing customers – particularly if expected projects don’t all materialize. Georgia Power had anticipated 8,500 MW of load growth over the next six years. Regulators ultimately called for quarterly updates from the company instead of green lighting all the capital spending Georgia Power requested. “As data center construction continues in Georgia, this (plan) puts us in a safe and secure spot to meet that energy need,” PSC Chairman Jason Shaw said of the agreement, adding that the plan balances “reliability and affordability.” Critics of Georgia’s plan said the new deal locks in too many major investments. Natural Resources Defense Council Georgia Policy Director Patrick King said it “prioritizes speculative growth.” The bigger picture The Georgia Public Service Commission also voted unanimously to freeze Georgia Power’s base rates through the end of 2028. The freeze means new construction the company undertakes in the next few years won’t be added to rates until 2029, assuming the Public Service Commission approves increases once the freeze lifts. Bills can still increase, based on fuel costs and storm damage. The base freeze will blunt overall increases, though. Additional details Several groups approved the agreement, including the Advanced Power Alliance, the Georgia Association of Manufacturers, the Georgia Solar Energy Association, the Southern Renewable Energy Association, the U.S. Department of Defense and Walmart. Georgia's Public Service Commission is elected – which is not the case in all states – and two of the commission’s five seats are up this November. SUGGESTED STORIES At a glance: Georgia Georgia is the 8th most populous state in the U.S., with 11,029,227 residents across its 59,441 square miles, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The state ranked No. 4 for business in 2024 by CNBC. Georgia is home to the busiest airport in the world, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Internation Read more Georgia ports secure $48 million in federal sustainability grants In its waning days, the Biden Administration quickly awarded an estimated $2.9 billion in grants via the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Ports Program – a creation of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. Over $48 million of those grants was awarded to the Georgia Ports Authorit Read more Utility regulators weigh new rates for AI, data center demand Growing electricity demand, sparked in part by a predicted boom in energy-hungry artificial intelligence, has state regulators considering higher rates and other significant changes meant to ensure data centers and other large energy users pay for the infrastructure they need instead of sp Read more
At a glance: Georgia Georgia is the 8th most populous state in the U.S., with 11,029,227 residents across its 59,441 square miles, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The state ranked No. 4 for business in 2024 by CNBC. Georgia is home to the busiest airport in the world, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Internation Read more
Georgia ports secure $48 million in federal sustainability grants In its waning days, the Biden Administration quickly awarded an estimated $2.9 billion in grants via the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Ports Program – a creation of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. Over $48 million of those grants was awarded to the Georgia Ports Authorit Read more
Utility regulators weigh new rates for AI, data center demand Growing electricity demand, sparked in part by a predicted boom in energy-hungry artificial intelligence, has state regulators considering higher rates and other significant changes meant to ensure data centers and other large energy users pay for the infrastructure they need instead of sp Read more
