Georgia Power Announces Major New Energy Projects in Northwest Georgia
Georgia Power has unveiled ambitious plans to invest significantly in new generation capacity and battery energy storage systems (BESS) across the state—particularly in Floyd and Bartow counties—to meet rising demand and transition toward cleaner, more reliable energy sources.
Battery Storage Projects in Floyd and Bartow Counties
As part of its ongoing modernization strategy, Georgia Power is constructing a standalone Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Floyd County, known as the Hammond BESS. This 57.5 MW facility is being developed on the site of the retired Plant Hammond, repurposing transmission capacity for grid support. The project is expected to go into commercial operation by November 2026.
In Bartow County, the utility plans two new battery storage installations—Bowen Phases 1 & 2—totaling 500 MW, designed to enhance grid stability during peak usage by storing energy during off-peak hours.
Natural Gas Plants to Boost Reliability
To further diversify the state’s energy mix, Georgia Power proposes adding two combined-cycle natural gas units with a combined capacity of 1,482 MW in Bartow County. These new plants are part of a larger initiative to deliver nearly 3,700 MW of natural gas generation statewide for improved reliability.
Strategic Planning and Regulatory Filings
In filings with the Georgia Public Service Commission, Georgia Power requested certification for 10 additional BESS facilities across the state, totaling approximately 3,022.5 MW. These are being sited in counties including Bibb, Lowndes, Floyd, Cherokee, and Laurens, along with additional solar-plus-storage proposals and natural gas generation contracts amounting to 2,821 MW.
The company projects about 8,200 MW of electrical load growth by 2030, with peak demand expected to rise by 2,200 MW versus its 2023 forecast. These projects aim to ensure that the utility can reliably serve customers in a growing economy.
Coal Retirement and Transition
These new investments underscore Georgia Power’s continued effort to limit and retire outdated coal-fired plants. Historically, Plant Hammond in Floyd County (800 MW capacity) shut down in 2019, its transmission capacity now leveraged for the new Hammond BESS. Meanwhile, Plant Bowen, located in Bartow County, remains in operation with around 3,376–3,499 MW of coal generation, though it’s recognized as one of the dirtiest plants in the nation. Regulators will revisit its future and potential retirement timeline by 2025.
Broader Energy Transition Landscape
Georgia Power has already built and operates 16 solar farms across Georgia, including numerous projects in North Georgia, and solar facilities at military installations across the state. These support the utility’s clean energy goals, although more utility-scale solar capacity is still being sought through bids and contracts.
Summary of Key Projects
• Floyd County – Hammond BESS – 57.5 MW Battery Storage – operational by Nov. 2026
• Bartow County – Bowen BESS Phases 1 & 2 – 500 MW Battery Storage – timeline TBD
• Bartow County – Combined-cycle natural gas plants – 1,482 MW – proposed in PSC filings
• Statewide – 10 additional BESS facilities – 3,022.5 MW total – certification requested
• Various counties – solar and natural gas PPAs – 2,821 MW – under review
What It Means
These developments reflect a multi-pronged strategy by Georgia Power: retiring legacy coal plants, investing in utility-scale batteries to smooth supply-demand fluctuations, and expanding generation via natural gas and solar. The work will help ensure grid reliability, support Georgia’s economic growth, and transition the state’s energy mix toward cleaner technologies.