Strengthening the power grid and improving service to our customers
The Grid Investment Program has allowed us to expand our power grid resiliency updates throughout the state.
This multi-year initiative enhances reliability and help reduce outages by improving transmission lines, substations, and the distribution lines that deliver electricity to customers’ homes and businesses.
Improving Reliability
Our customers are now experiencing
* Reliability scores are based on System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI), and System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) numbers from 2023.
What To Expect
Before new improvements are made in your area you can expect a postcard or some other form of notification to inform you about the work that will be done.
- There will typically be an increase in activity of third-party crews contracted by Georgia Power who will be looking at the existing infrastructure and surrounding areas.
- Surveyors in your area will be locating underground utilities, placing flags and temporary protective covers.
- Authorized land agents will be reaching out to property owners to discuss easements needed to construct, install, or maintain the planned equipment.
- Construction activities may include digging, drilling, structure placement, and wire installation. You may see stockpiles of excavated dirt and staged equipment and materials.
- We will stay committed to working with you throughout this project, and we'll notify you when the improvements have been completed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is the Grid Investment Program?
We are committed to making smart investments for Georgia's energy future to ensure our customers are provided the clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy they expect and deserve. Our plan focuses on upgrading transmission and distribution infrastructure across the power grid to improve the reliability and efficiency of our system and decrease the number and length of power outages experienced by customers.
How will this work affect our electric utility service?
Our commitment is to provide clean, safe, reliable, and affordable electricity. We're making new investments in infrastructure to improve the reliability and efficiency of our system and decrease the number and length of outages that customers experience. Some of these enhancements will require limited outages. If an outage is needed for our work, impacted customers will be notified.
Is the property owner required to grant an easement to Georgia Power to place equipment on their property?
For Distribution projects, the easement process is a voluntary process. We will work with the community to find locations for all needed equipment. If community members do not wish to grant the required Distribution easements, we will explore other project alternatives.
Are other communities besides ours having similar work done by Georgia Power?
As part of our commitment to providing clean, safe, reliable, and affordable electricity, we will be making investments in infrastructure in communities across the state. We're continuously evaluating the electric system to determine where to make investments.
Will Georgia Power need to perform tree trimming to support construction?
We are dedicated to causing minimal disruption to our customers’ property. For undergrounding projects, tree trimming will be minimal. There may be some shrubs/landscaping that will need to be removed for the placement of underground equipment.
For overhead projects, tree trimming can vary depending on the percentage of the tree canopy that overhangs into the required tree clearance area. We typically requires a 15- to 30-foot clearance, depending on the type of line located in your area.
If needed, trees are pruned by professional tree contractors. Georgia Power prunes trees to industry standards that were developed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). Learn more at www.georgiapower.com/trees.
About undergrounding:
If there is undergrounding happening near my property, can I elect to have my service line undergrounded?
Yes, Georgia Power customers can elect to have their service lines undergrounded, but the customer is responsible for the cost of elective undergrounding. Service line undergrounding costs are calculated on a case by case basis, based on the length of the service line and the required method of installation (open trench vs. directional bore), among other variables. In addition, customers will be required to bear the cost of any work required to pass an electrical inspection. For more information, please contact us at 1-888-404-1056 or G2GPgrid@southernco.com.
If our lines are moved underground, will the poles be removed?
When placing lines underground, Georgia Power removes all of its infrastructure that is no longer in use. However, poles may also carry street lights that will remain in use as well as lines owned by other companies, such as cable or telephone, and will therefore not be removed.
Can I plant shrubs or vegetation around above-ground equipment supporting underground lines?
Georgia Power is committed to providing safe and reliable service to our customers. Often, crews responding to outages or other issues must access live electrical equipment housed in this equipment by using special insulated sticks and other tools that require space for safe operation; therefore, landowners will need to maintain the proper clearance, which is approximately 10 feet around the equipment.
If our lines are moved underground, will we no longer be impacted by storms?
By placing lines underground, we're reducing exposure to trees and severe weather that cause most power outages. While we expect a reduction in the number and length of power outages experienced by customers, we do not expect outages to be eliminated entirely.
What above-ground equipment may be installed to support undergrounding improvements?
For examples of typical equipment that may be installed to support undergrounding improvements, including the dimensions of each piece of equipment, please click here.
How often do underground power lines need to be maintained?
Placing power lines underground requires minimal maintenance. Should a line be damaged or fail for any reason, Georgia Power will need to dig in the area to access and repair the line. To ensure reliable electric service over the long term, we incorporate plans for future replacements of cable that is at the end of its expected life into asset management programs.
Contact Us
Send us your questions or concerns about our Grid Investment Program