Benefits of Coal
As we work to incorporate more carbon-free energy sources into our generation mix, coal-fired generators provide reliable, dispatchable energy on an as-needed basis as part of our diversified generation portfolio.
Many of our plants that have traditionally been powered by coal have been transitioned to natural gas, and we have invested significantly in cleaner emissions technology in the coal plants that remain.
How Coal Works
Coal ore is mined and refined
The ore is burned to heat water into steam
The steam pushes the turbines
Generator is turned producing electricity
Our Environmental Efforts
Regulatory Alignment
We proudly meet or exceed federal and state Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) rules and environmental requirements while continuing to generate reliable energy for our customers.
Emissions Reduction
We've invested $5 billion in equipping our coal-fired power plants to reduce emissions of 99% Sulfur Dioxide, 95% Nitrogen Oxides, 98% Mercury and 60% Carbon Dioxide
Our Coal Plants
Our two coal facilities, Plant Scherer in Juliette County and Plant Bowen in Bartow County, provide for 18 percent of our capacity mix.
1. Plant Bowen
Location:
Bartow County, Georgia
Current total generating capacity:
~ 3,376 MW
Commercial operation:
Unit 1: 1971
Unit 2: 1972
Unit 3: 1974
Unit 4: 1975
2. Plant Scherer
Location:
Juliette, Georgia
Current total generating capacity:
~ 3,720 MW
Commercial operation:
Unit 1: 1982
Unit 2: 1984
Unit 3: 1987
Decomissioned units:
Unit 4 (1989 - 2022)
Plant Bowen
Location:
Bartow County, Georgia
Current total generating capacity:
~ 3,376 MW
Commercial operation:
Unit 1: 1971
Unit 2: 1972
Unit 3: 1974
Unit 4: 1975
Plant Bowen
Location:
Bartow County, Georgia
Current total generating capacity:
~ 3,376 MW
Commercial operation:
Unit 1: 1971
Unit 2: 1972
Unit 3: 1974
Unit 4: 1975
Plant Scherer
Location:
Juliette, Georgia
Current total generating capacity:
~ 3,720 MW
Commercial operation:
Unit 1: 1982
Unit 2: 1984
Unit 3: 1987
Decomissioned units:
Unit 4 (1989 - 2022)
On average more than 85% of the coal ash we produce is recycled into things like cement, concrete, and cinder blocks.
Coal ash beneficial use
We are an industry leader in the beneficial reuse of coal ash. In October 2023, we announced plans to build a facility to recycle over 8 million tons of ash from the site of the decommissioned Plant Branch near Milledgeville for use in the concrete ready-mix market, joining similar beneficial use projects at Plant Bowen and retired Plant Mitchell.