Renewable Energy in Georgia

Georgia Power has more than 1,000 megawatts (MW) of renewable generation (mostly hydro), representing about 5 percent of its generating capacity and is working to add additional capacity from renewable generation sources.

Since 2005, Georgia Power has executed long-term contracts for almost 72 MW of capacity from new renewable generation sources and has received notices of intent from developers to enter into long-term contracts for an additional 300 MW of capacity over the next six years.

Georgia Power expenditures for capacity and energy from these renewable generation projects may be more than $1 billion over the next 10 years if all of the projects prove viable.

Georgia Power also received PSC approval to pursue up to three new renewable projects of not more than 30 MW each so long as those projects are at or below avoided costs.

Customers can sign up for green energy. Find out more .

• In its early years, Georgia Power depended heavily on hydro electric plants, which are still providing low-cost, clean renewable energy to our customers.
• There are few, if any, new large-scale hydro electric sites available in the Southeast, and there are large demands for water resources in Georgia's growing communities.

• Biomass (crops or wood waste) is the highest potential renewable source in the Southeast.
• Georgia Power has contracts with seven qualified biomass/renewable facilities that will generate 136 MW of capacity (enough renewable energy to power more than 34,000 homes).
• Georgia Power also buys energy from eight other renewable sources when available (QFs).
• Georgia Power is developing one of the nation's largest biomass plants at Plant Mitchell near Albany. more

• Georgia Power offers customers the opportunity to purchase Green Energy from a new landfill gas generating plant at the DeKalb County landfill.
• Landfill gas is about one-half methane, which has 20 times the global warming potential of CO2.
• This gas typically escapes from municipal landfills into the atmosphere and can create a hazard. Therefore, landfills have begun to burn the gas in reciprocating engines to produce power. more

• Georgia Power is installing seven photovoltaic (PV) technologies on the roof of Georgia Power's 241 Ralph McGill building. Check out real time results.
• Each test technology will be capable of producing approximately 4 KW.
• Throughout the demonstration, the company will work with a third-party entity to evaluate the performance and cost-effectiveness of each technology. more.

• In 2006, Southern Company and Georgia Tech completed a study of the feasibility of generating electricity from wind off the coast of Georgia. The study found average wind speeds of 16-17 mph about five miles off the Georgia coast.
• Class 4 winds have been used in other areas of the country for land-based wind farms but offshore wind resources typically must be stronger to overcome higher construction and operational costs.
• Southern Company will continue to pursue feasible wind energy generation in coastal areas. The advent of lower-speed and more hurricane-tolerant wind turbine designs may overcome economic and technological hurdles. With community support, wind energy may yet someday contribute to the energy needs of the Southeast.