Georgia Power will continue to generate electricity using coal and natural gas in the coming years while increasing its investments in renewable energy.
Those are among the commitments included in the 2025 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) that the Atlanta-based utility submitted to the state Public Service Commission (PSC) on Friday.
Typically updated every three years, IRPs outline the mix of energy sources Georgia Power intends to use for power generation over the next two decades.
The 2025 IRP acknowledges the soaring growth in demand from power-hungry industries that have set up shop in Georgia in recent years, notably data centers. Georgia Power projects it will need an additional 8,200 megawatts of generating capacity during the next six years, an increase of more than 2,200 megawatts compared to updated projections in an IRP the commission approved just last spring.
“As Georgia continues to grow, this state is well-positioned for the future thanks to proactive planning, policies, and processes like the Integrated Resource Plan,” said Kim Greene, Georgia Power’s chairman, president, and CEO. “The 2025 IRP provides a comprehensive plan to support Georgia’s continued economic growth and serve Georgians, with clean, safe, reliable, and affordable energy well into the future.”
The new IRP calls for Georgia Power to continue operating coal-burning plants at Plant Bowen near Cartersville and Plant Scherer near Macon, which would provide about 4,000 megawatts of electricity.
According to a news release from the company, those are among the most advanced coal units in the world, equipped with state-of-the-art technology that reduces their carbon footprints.
Georgia Power also plans to improve natural gas production at Plant McIntosh near Savannah, which would add 268 megawatts of capacity.
The IRP also proposes increasing Georgia Power’s renewable energy capacity by 4,000 megawatts by 2035 to 11,000 megawatts. Renewable power sources would include new utility-scale and rooftop solar projects, battery storage, and modernizing Georgia Power’s fleet of hydroelectric plants.
Critics attacked the new IRP on Friday as overly reliant on coal and gas. Groups, including the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), have called on Georgia Power to retire Plant Bowen and Plant Scherer.
“We’re the No.-1 state to do business and one of the U.S.’s fastest-growing tech hubs. Are we really going to power progress with gas and coal?” said Jennifer Whitfield, a senior attorney at the SELC’s Georgia office. “Coal hasn’t been economical for years, and paying for even more methane gas is incompatible with the future Georgians want, and businesses are demanding.”
Brionté McCorkle, executive director of Georgia Conservation Voters, questioned whether Georgia Power needs the additional 8,200 megawatts it requests.
“By asking for far more generation than is needed, Georgia Power and the Georgia Public Service Commission will end hearings by accepting less than requested, allowing everyone to claim a win for an unreasonable expensive plan,” she said.
Opponents also argued that fossil fuels leave customers vulnerable to costly spikes in utility bills. In the last two years, the average residential bill for Georgia Power customers has increased by more than $43 monthly.