Georgia Power Awarded $160 Million From Department of Energy To Enhance Georgia’s Power Grid

Rhea-AI Summary

Georgia Power has been awarded over $160 million in funding from the Department of Energy's Grid Deployment Office through the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program. The funding will support grid enhancement projects across Georgia, focusing on expanding transmission capacity and improving resilience. The company will deploy new grid-enhancing technologies, including dynamic line rating technology and reconductoring of high voltage power lines. These investments aim to serve existing and new customers while facilitating the connection of clean generation sources. Georgia Power has invested more than $10 billion in strengthening the power grid over the past decade and serves 2.7 million customers across Georgia.

Positive

• Secured $160 million in federal funding for grid enhancement
• Implementation of new grid technologies to increase transmission capacity
• Projects will support expansion of renewable energy infrastructure
• $10 billion invested in power grid strengthening over past decade

Negative

• None.

Insights

Utility Infrastructure Analyst

The $160 million DOE funding represents a significant development for Georgia Power's grid modernization efforts. This grant will enable critical infrastructure upgrades focused on transmission capacity expansion and grid resilience enhancement. The implementation of dynamic line rating technology and advanced conductors on existing structures is particularly noteworthy, as it offers a cost-effective solution to increase power transmission capacity without requiring extensive new construction.

The investment aligns with Georgia's position as a top 10 solar state and will facilitate better integration of renewable energy sources. With Georgia Power having invested over $10 billion in grid strengthening over the past decade, this additional federal funding will accelerate their modernization efforts while keeping customer costs manageable. The focus on disadvantaged communities and workforce development through IBEW partnerships adds social value to the technical improvements.

Environmental Policy Analyst

This funding marks a strategic advancement in Georgia's clean energy transition. The grid enhancement project will specifically address two critical challenges: integrating more renewable energy sources and improving resilience against extreme weather events. The focus on upgrading existing infrastructure rather than building new transmission lines demonstrates an environmentally conscious approach to grid modernization.

The program's emphasis on community engagement and minority business participation shows a commitment to environmental justice and equitable energy transition. These improvements will be particularly impactful for disadvantaged communities, potentially reducing energy costs and improving reliability in historically underserved areas.

Funding focused on innovative approaches to expanding transmission capacity and adding resiliency as company works to meet the energy needs of a growing Georgia

Southern Company

ATLANTA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / October 31, 2024 / Georgia Power, the state's largest electric utility serving 2.7 million customers, has been awarded more than $160 million in funding by the Department of Energy (DOE) through its Grid Deployment Office. As Georgia continues to grow, the company is ensuring that customers have access to clean, safe, reliable, and affordable power, and actively pursued the funding available under the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help reduce the costs of necessary investments for the benefit of customers.

Investments under the GRIP Program are intended to enhance grid flexibility, improve the resilience of the power system against extreme weather and ensure American communities have access to affordable, reliable electricity when and where they need it.

"We know our customers depend on us to make the investments needed in the state's power grid to ensure that we provide the energy resilience and reliability they value and expect, while keeping energy prices affordable," said Fran Forehand, senior vice president of Transmission for Georgia Power. "Leveraging federal funding and working with the DOE to integrate innovative technology is a great example of how we do this. Thanks to the robust and long-term planning process we have in place with the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC), the investments we're making in a smarter and more resilient power grid are showing value for our customers during extreme weather events such as Hurricane Helene, and every day."

Projects funded by the grant will be varied and will benefit communities across Georgia. As Georgia Power continues to transition to cleaner forms of energy and transform its electric grid, investments in the state's transmission system - the high voltage power lines that transport electricity from generation sources to individual communities - are critical.

Through funding from the GRIP program, Georgia Power will deploy new grid-enhancing technologies including dynamic line rating technology and reconductoring of high voltage power lines. Improved conductor technology can be deployed on existing structures, placed in service much faster than a traditional line build, and can help maximize the amount of power that can be carried through existing transmission lines and in existing rights of way. These investments are important to not only serve existing and new customers but also to help connect a growing amount of clean generation required to serve Georgia's growing electricity needs. For example, Georgia is a Top 10 state for solar growth and, as renewable generation continues to come online, these investments will unlock additional opportunities for renewable generation deployment within critical locations and disadvantaged communities. The investments also increase energy resilience, including reducing outage frequency and duration.

Increasing collaboration, community and stakeholder engagement, and industry improvement are also key elements of projects under the GRIP Program. As the company invests in its system, Georgia Power plans to share insights, lessons learned and best practices with the broader industry through its work with the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), the Association of Edison Illuminating Companies and others.

Many community organizations assisted the company in its application such as the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council, Fort Valley State University, the Savannah Economic Development Authority and the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, among others. Georgia Power is grateful for the support of these organizations during the application process and will continue to solicit input and expertise of these organizations and other stakeholders throughout the state. For example, through the project, Georgia Power will work with IBEW union crews to provide training on the installation and configuration of new types of transmission conductors being installed. The use of these new technologies is expected to provide community benefits such as decreased environmental impacts, increased clean enterprise contracting for businesses majority owned or controlled by underrepresented persons or groups, increased high-quality job creation and job training.

Click here to access the full Georgia Power GRIP fact sheet.

Over the past 10 years, Georgia Power has invested more than $10 billion in strengthening the power grid through programs and initiatives approved by the Georgia PSC. Georgia Power continued this ongoing work on projects throughout Georgia communities in 2023 resulting in a strong year for reliability performance. Read more here.

About Georgia Power

Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America's premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company's promise to 2.7 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Georgia Power focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and the company is recognized by J.D. Power as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), X (X.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power).

Georgia Power

For further information: Georgia Power Media Relations, (404) 506-7676 or (800) 282-1696

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Contact Info:
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SOURCE: Southern Company

View the original press release on accesswire.com

FAQ

How much funding did Georgia Power (SO) receive from the Department of Energy in October 2023?

Georgia Power received more than $160 million in funding from the Department of Energy through its Grid Deployment Office's GRIP Program.

What will Georgia Power (SO) use the $160 million DOE funding for?

The funding will be used to deploy grid-enhancing technologies, including dynamic line rating technology and reconductoring of high voltage power lines, to expand transmission capacity and improve grid resilience.

How many customers does Georgia Power (SO) currently serve?

Georgia Power serves 2.7 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties.

How much has Georgia Power (SO) invested in grid strengthening over the past decade?

Georgia Power has invested more than $10 billion in strengthening the power grid over the past 10 years.