Georgia Power breaks ground on new BESS system
Georgia Power has started construction on a new 260 MW battery energy storage system (BESS) project in eastern Georgia’s Jefferson County.
Located near the city of Wadley, the project will be beside the city’s existing third-party owned Wadley solar facility, as well as near existing energy transmission infrastructure. The system is a company-owned asset which Georgia Power aims to use in order to strengthen the grid across the Peach State, officials say.
“At Georgia Power, our collaboration with the Georgia (Public Service Commission) and other stakeholders is key to making necessary investments for a reliable and resilient power grid,” says Kerry Bridges, region executive for Georgia Power. “With the construction of the 260 MW BESS in Jefferson County, we are able to better serve our customers today and support Georgia’s growth.
“As we expand our energy mix to include more renewable sources, these batteries will play an invaluable role in helping ensure reliability and flexibility, particularly when renewable sources are not available.”
The battery has been designed to “quickly dispatch stored energy over a four-hour period.” The project will help to address the state’s spiking demand for electricity while staying cost-effective for Georgia homeowners, and is set to be completed sometime in 2027.
Beefing up BESS across Georgia
This project is far from the only battery-focused site cropping up around the state. Georgia Power says its crews are nearing completion of four new BESS facilities across Georgia, totaling 765 MW in four counties.
“To support the increasing demand for renewable energy, the company is also planning two new state-of-the-art solar systems paired with battery storage for a combined capacity of 350 MW,” officials add. “These projects are designed to maximize high solar irradiance, while minimizing land disturbance. New solar + BESS projects include locations in Laurens and Dougherty County.”
The momentum of BESS systems is palpable across the solar industry, and the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) has taken notice. PSC representatives say they have approved the construction of nine new BESS facilities across seven sites in Georgia, which are expected to add 3 GW of planned energy storage to the state’s grid.
“The sites were strategically selected based on deployment capabilities, including the opportunity to locate additional resources at existing company plant sites, existing company-owned land, and proximity to substations or current company facilities,” the PSC says. “New BESS facilities include locations at Plants Bowen, Hammond, McIntosh, Wansley and Yates and stand-alone locations in Hall and McDuffie counties.”
