Georgia Power building for data center builds

Atlanta News First reported that Georgia Power is investing in new energy infrastructure to support the growing demand from data centers across Georgia. The utility is breaking ground on a new hybrid power system in West Georgia, located at the edge of Carroll and Heard counties. This facility will combine a 500-megawatt battery storage system with a roughly 1500-megawatt natural gas plant, built on the site of an old coal plant. This project aims to meet the state's surging energy demand, particularly from data centers. Kim Greene, CEO of Georgia Power, addressed public concerns, asserting that data centers will not be a drain on the state's resources or consumer bank accounts. She stated that Georgia Power has signed contracts for over 9,000 megawatts from data centers and has protections in place should any center default on its contract. Greene further claimed that data centers help stabilize and even lower power bills for everyday customers by allowing the utility to keep rates flat. The construction phase is expected to create 1,200 temporary jobs and 60 permanent Southern Company positions. The new plant is partially funded by a $25.6 billion loan from the Trump administration and the Department of Energy, which Secretary James Danley noted would help streamline affordable electricity for decades.