Georgia Power recently filed an updated Integrated Resource Plan with the Georgia Public Service Commission, citing the need to support recent economic growth. But an environmental group opposed a portion of the proposed update that calls for burning fossil fuels to generate power.
Aaron Mitchell, vice president of Pricing and Planning at Georgia Power, said the integrated resource planning process helps Georgia Power design a system to serve the needs of their customers over the next 20 years.
“We prepare the Integrated Resource Plan, that includes looking at what generating and transmission resources we need, and we submit it to the Public Service Commission,” said Mitchell. “The commission has the authority to review and approve what they feel is best for the customers of Georgia Power. And then we will follow the approved plan from the commission.
That plan is updated, said Mitchell, “as things change.”
So what has changed?
Current energy projections for the state now reflect energy growth of approximately 6,600 megawatts through 2030, up from approximately 400 megawatts previously forecasted in January 2022, said Mitchell.
“Conditions have changed,” said Mitchell. “We have new customers and continued economic development in the state.”
On Oct. 27, Georgia Power filed a request to the Georgia Public Service Commission that would reopen its 20-year supply plan.
“This plan is generally updated every three years; it was last approved in 2022,” noted Tom Krause, spokesperson for Georgia Public Service Commission, in an email to The Augusta Chronicle. “The filing by Georgia Power shows the company needs to increase the electricity generation supply to meet Georgia’s needs.”
Krause said the PSC does not comment on the specifics of cases.
Diversity is key
Georgia Power has a diverse system and looking at a number of resources is the key, said Mitchell.
“When I say resources, I mean any generating asset or sources of electricity that we produce,” he…
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