Georgia Power Aims to Add 1,500 MW of Battery Storage by 2031
Georgia Power is expanding its energy storage capacity, with plans to add over 1,500 MW of battery energy storage systems (BESS) in the coming years. The utility is currently seeking proposals for a 500 MW energy storage facility that can discharge for at least two hours, with a preferred online date of late 2031.
The request for proposal (RFP) was approved by the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) as part of Georgia Power's 2022 integrated resource plan (IRP). Proposals must be submitted through the Ascend Analytics Power Procurement platform. The energy storage can be standalone or paired with new or existing renewable resources.
Georgia Power projects approximately 8.2 GW of electrical load growth over the next five to six years. Looking ahead, the utility plans to add significant amounts of longer duration energy storage. From 2028, it aims to install 3,000 MW per year of 4-hour energy storage, and from 2033, 3,000 MW per year of 12-hour energy storage. Currently, Georgia Power's adoption of solar+storage versus solar-only generation stands at 17%.
The organization managing the tender for the 500 MW energy storage facility on behalf of Georgia Power remains unidentified. The utility's ambitious energy storage plans aim to meet the growing demand and support its renewable energy integration efforts.
