Georgia Power, PSC staff strike deal for $16B expansion to power data centers
AJC.com••business
Key Points:
- Georgia Power and the Public Service Commission (PSC) staff reached a tentative agreement to add nearly 10,000 megawatts of new power capacity over five years, primarily to serve data centers, pending final PSC approval.
- The expansion would mainly rely on natural gas plants, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, with some additions of battery storage and solar power; the estimated capital investment is at least $16 billion.
- The deal includes a pledge from Georgia Power to apply "downward pressure" on residential rates in the next rate adjustment by 2028, but actual bill reductions are not guaranteed, and increases may still occur by 2029.
- The agreement has faced criticism from environmental and consumer groups for being negotiated behind closed doors and favoring
