Atlanta, February 13, 2026
Georgia Power has laid out a comprehensive energy strategy targeting future capacity and costs, amidst concerns from advocates about potential overbuilding and consumer impacts. The plan aims for an 8,500 MW load growth by 2030, necessitating the addition of new generation capacity and investment in renewable resources, all crucial for the state’s economic growth. Stakeholders continue to engage in discussions to ensure balanced energy policies that prioritize affordability and sustainability for residents and businesses alike.
Atlanta
Atlanta’s Energy Future: Navigating Capacity & Cost
The state’s leading utility, Georgia Power, has outlined a long-term energy strategy to meet anticipated demand. This comprehensive plan, however, has ignited discussions among various stakeholders regarding its approach to capacity expansion and potential implications for consumer costs across the state.
Ensuring a stable and affordable energy supply is foundational for Georgia’s vibrant economy and the continued success of Atlanta GA business enterprises. Forward-thinking energy policy and robust infrastructure are vital to support the innovation driven by Georgia entrepreneurs and to sustain the prosperity of communities. While ambitious investment in energy infrastructure is often necessary for growth, it is equally important to balance these investments with efficient, cost-effective solutions that protect the pocketbooks of residents and Atlanta small business owners.
Georgia Power’s Vision for Energy Growth
The Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) approved Georgia Power’s 2025 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) on July 15, 2025. This plan details the company’s strategy to address the state’s escalating energy needs and support continued economic expansion. Georgia Power projects an approximate 8,500 megawatts (MW) of electrical load growth by 2030, a substantial increase of over 2,600 MW compared to earlier 2023 forecasts. This projected growth is largely attributed to the proliferation of new data centers and other significant industrial developments across Georgia.
To meet this demand, the approved 2025 IRP allows for the addition of at least 6,000 MW of new generation capacity by 2031, with a provision to increase this to a maximum of 8,500 MW if additional need is demonstrably proven. The plan outlines a diverse portfolio, including the procurement of up to 4,000 MW of renewable resources by 2035. This initial target includes 1,100 MW sought through competitive utility-scale and distributed generation procurements, which would expand Georgia Power’s renewable energy portfolio to approximately 11,000 MW. Additionally, the plan calls for the development of more than 1,500 MW of battery energy storage systems (BESS).
Balancing Traditional and Renewable Sources
Beyond new renewables and storage, Georgia Power’s plan involves significant investments in existing generation facilities. This includes extended power uprates to reliable nuclear units and upgrades to a natural gas plant near Savannah. Furthermore, the plan entails keeping some existing coal-fired plants, specifically Plant Bowen near Cartersville and Plant Scherer just outside Macon, operational longer than initially anticipated. This extension is primarily aimed at serving the increased demand from data centers and other large industrial loads. The IRP also proposes new gas-fired generation, primarily at Plant Bowen.
The IRP also incorporates a 10-year transmission plan, which includes improvements across more than 1,000 miles of transmission lines. These upgrades are designed to enhance the reliability and resiliency of the state’s power grid, ensuring efficient delivery of energy from both new and existing power plants to customers throughout Georgia.
Advocate Concerns Over Capacity and Cost
While Georgia Power emphasizes the necessity of these investments for reliability and growth, consumer advocates and clean energy groups have voiced significant concerns. They contend that the plan may lead to an “overbuilding” of capacity, particularly if the projected load growth, especially from data centers, proves to be overestimated. Such overbuilding, they argue, could result in increased costs for customers, as ratepayers would ultimately bear the expense of underutilized infrastructure.
Critics also highlight the plan’s continued reliance on existing coal and natural gas plants, and the proposal for new gas infrastructure. They argue that extending the operational life of fossil fuel plants not only raises environmental concerns but also exposes customers to potential future price volatility associated with fuel costs. Advocates suggest that the plan fails to deliver sufficient benefits or cost relief to existing residential and Atlanta small business customers, prioritizing speculative growth over broader consumer affordability.
The Role of Regulatory Oversight and Economic Foresight
The Georgia Public Service Commission’s approval of the 2025 IRP followed months of review, testimony, and public discussion. The PSC maintains that the approved plan strikes a crucial balance between ensuring reliability for Georgia’s growing energy needs and maintaining affordability for customers. To address concerns about demand projections, the PSC has mandated that Georgia Power file quarterly Large Load Economic Development Reports and regularly update its load forecasts. This oversight mechanism aims to provide ongoing transparency and allow for adjustments if actual demand deviates significantly from projections.
Moreover, the IRP includes a $161 million budget dedicated to demand-side energy efficiency programs. These programs are designed to help reduce overall energy consumption and ease the strain on the grid, offering avenues for customers to manage their energy use more effectively. The 2023 IRP Update, which preceded the current plan, also projected a net benefit to customers, equivalent to a $2.89 per month decrease for typical residential customers for the years 2026 through 2028, underscoring the potential for strategic planning to yield customer savings.
Forging a Resilient Energy Future for Georgia
The dialogue surrounding Georgia Power’s 2025 IRP underscores the complex challenges and opportunities inherent in shaping the state’s energy future. While ensuring robust energy infrastructure is paramount for continued Georgia economic growth and attracting new industries, a balanced approach that prioritizes efficient investment, diverse energy sources, and consumer protection is essential. The dynamism of Georgia entrepreneurs and the resilience of Atlanta small business depend on both reliable power and manageable costs.
Citizens and business leaders are encouraged to stay informed and engaged in these crucial discussions. Their thoughtful participation can help ensure that energy policies are not only forward-looking but also reflective of the diverse needs and priorities of all Georgians, fostering an environment where innovation thrives and economic opportunities abound.
Frequently Asked Questions About Georgia Power’s 2025 IRP
- What is the Georgia Power 2025 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP)?
- The Georgia Power 2025 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) is a long-term energy strategy approved by the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) on July 15, 2025, detailing how Georgia Power plans to meet the state’s energy needs and support economic growth.
- What is the projected electrical load growth in Georgia?
- Georgia Power anticipates approximately 8,500 megawatts (MW) of electrical load growth by 2030, which is an increase of over 2,600 MW compared to 2023 forecasts.
- How much new generation capacity is included in the plan?
- The approved 2025 IRP allows for at least 6,000 MW of new generation capacity by 2031, with a potential maximum of 8,500 MW if proven necessary.
- What types of energy sources are part of the plan?
- The plan includes procuring up to 4,000 MW of renewable resources by 2035, adding more than 1,500 MW of battery energy storage systems (BESS), extended power uprates to nuclear units, upgrades to a natural gas plant near Savannah, and keeping some coal plants (Plant Bowen, Plant Scherer) operational longer. It also proposes new gas-fired generation.
- What are the main concerns raised by advocates?
- Advocates claim potential “overbuilding” of capacity, leading to increased customer costs, over-reliance on coal and gas plants, and a lack of sufficient benefits or cost relief for existing residential and small business customers.
- How will the Public Service Commission (PSC) monitor the plan?
- The PSC will monitor growth through quarterly filings of Large Load Economic Development Reports and additional load forecast updates in the coming years.
- Are there customer programs for energy efficiency?
- Yes, the IRP includes a $161 million budget for demand-side energy efficiency programs.
Key Features of Georgia Power’s 2025 IRP and Related Claims
| Feature | Georgia Power’s Plan | Advocate Claims/Concerns | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approval Date | Approved by Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) on July 15, 2025. | N/A | State-level |
| Projected Load Growth | Approximately 8,500 MW by 2030, an increase of over 2,600 MW from 2023 forecasts, driven by data centers. | Concerns about overestimation of demand, especially from data centers. | State-level |
| New Generation Capacity | At least 6,000 MW by 2031, potentially up to 8,500 MW based on proven need. | Potential “overbuilding” could lead to increased customer costs. | State-level |
| Renewable Energy Additions | Up to 4,000 MW by 2035, expanding renewable portfolio to 11,000 MW. | Some advocates desire a larger share of renewables. | State-level |
| Battery Energy Storage | More than 1,500 MW of BESS to be added. | N/A | State-level |
| Conventional Power Plants | Extended operation of coal plants (Plant Bowen, Plant Scherer), upgrades to natural gas plants, new gas-fired generation proposed. | Reliance on coal and gas raises environmental concerns and potential for higher fuel costs. | State-level |
| Transmission System | 10-year plan with improvements across more than 1,000 miles of transmission lines. | N/A | State-level |
| Customer Costs | 2023 IRP Update projected $2.89/month decrease for typical residential customers for 2026-2028. | Concerns that investments will burden existing residential and small business customers with higher rates. | State-level |
| Oversight Mechanism | PSC to monitor growth via quarterly Large Load Economic Development Reports and load forecast updates. | N/A | State-level |
| Energy Efficiency Programs | $161 million budget for demand-side energy efficiency programs. | N/A | State-level |
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