(The Center Square) – The Georgia Public Service Commission approved a plan from Georgia’s largest utility that addresses electricity needs for new data centers.
The Integrated Resource Plan will allow Georgia Power to have a production rate of between 6,000 and 8,500 megawatts of energy. The Public Service Commission staff questioned the need in a hearing held in May.
“We conclude that the forecast provided by Georgia Power is very likely skewed to show load realization sooner, and in greater quantities than is likely to materialize,” said Robert Trokey, director of the electric unit for the commission.
The plan requires Georgia Power to file quarterly Large Load Economic Development Reports.
“As data center construction continues in Georgia, this IRP puts us in a safe and secure spot to meet that energy need,” said Commission Chairman Jason Shaw. “This long-term plan continues to strike a balance between reliability and affordability.”
Georgia Power received the green light to upgrade some facilities as part of the commission’s approval. The company will upgrade two units at Plant Vogtle to add 54 megawatts of carbon-free energy, the utility said. The nuclear power plant located near Waynesboro was completed in 2024 after years of delays and increased costs. It’s the “largest generator of clean energy,” according to Georgia Power. The utility can also move forward with plans for upgrades at two of the plants hatch units.
Northwest Georgia’s Plant Bowen and Plant Scherer in the central part of the state will also continue to operate, the utility said. Environmentalists had hoped the company would shut down the coal-fired plants. Georgia Power said technology has reduced their environmental footprint.
“The units are among the most advanced coal-fired units in the world and, over time, have added and now operate state-of-the-art technology to reduce the environmental footprint of those facilities, including scrubbers, selective catalytic reduction systems and baghouses. These advancements have resulted in reductions in main air emissions by more than 95% over the past few decades,” Georgia Power said in a release.
The plan was criticized by the Southern Environmental Law Center. The nonprofit environmental advocacy group said Georgia Power broke an agreement to consider demand-side management programs that would lower residential utility bills.
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“Frankly, I am shocked that Georgia Power did not honor its commitment, and heartbroken the commission did not step up and defend billpayers in this moment,” said Jennifer Whitfield, a senior attorney in the organization’s Georgia office. “The commission had an opportunity to give this plan a silver lining but instead left meaningful relief for Georgians on the table.”
Georgia Power and the Public Service Commission reached a three-year rate freeze agreement earlier this month. The plan allows the utility to come back before the commission to discuss storm relief costs.