Georgia Power to Add 10,000 MW for Data Centers

Georgia Power Company and the Public Service Commission are planning to add nearly 10,000 MW to the grid to help power data centers.

The expansion would take place over the next five years and require about $16 billion in capital. The stipulation still needs to be fully approved, but likely represents the final deal.

This is a huge number of additional megawatts for this region, over double the combined capacity of the state’s four nuclear reactors at Plant Vogtle near the city of Augusta.

While there is concern about costs rising for customers, the utility has agreed to put downward pressure on residential rates during their next adjustment period. The hope is to use extra revenue from data centers to offset costs for smaller users.