On Wednesday, Georgia Power submitted new testimony defending its plan to add about 10,000 megawatts of generation capacity. The company argued that this expansion is necessary to support the growing number of energy-hungry data centers and industrial projects across Georgia.
Some consumer advocates and public officials have voiced concerns that the plan could raise electricity bills by around $20 per month. Georgia Power, however, called that estimate “flatly incorrect,” emphasizing that ongoing analyses and regulatory reviews will determine exact cost impacts.
“Our proposal is designed to ensure reliable power for Georgia’s future without imposing undue costs on households,” the company stated in its filing.
The proposal includes adding new natural gas, solar, and battery storage resources to meet the surging demand. Georgia Power cited forecasts showing that statewide electricity use could rise sharply due to rapid growth in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing facilities.
The Georgia Public Service Commission is expected to review the testimony and hold public hearings before making a final decision on the proposal later this year.
Author Summary: Georgia Power defends expanding its energy capacity to meet data center growth, opposing claims of a $20 monthly customer rate increase as inaccurate.