About the Project
Georgia Power is making long-term investments to strengthen the transmission system and support Georgia’s growing energy needs, helping ensure safe, reliable, and resilient electric service for decades to come. As part of this effort, the company is developing the Callaway Road – Thomson Primary 500 kV Area Area Transmission Project.
The project is being planned to provide the transmission infrastructure needed to support significant growth and increasing energy demand in the region, including the energy needs of a large-load customer. These investments will add transmission capacity, strengthen the local and regional electric grid, and provide broader reliability benefits for homes, businesses, and industries across the area.
The project will include a new 500/230 kV Callaway Road Substation and approximately 17 miles of new 500 kV transmission infrastructure in McDuffie and Columbia counties. This includes approximately 10 miles of new 500 kV transmission line for the Callaway Road–Thomson #1 500 kV Transmission Line and approximately 7 miles for the Callaway Road–Thomson #2 500 kV Transmission Line. The project will also include associated transmission facilities needed to support the new infrastructure. As planning progresses, project details will continue to be refined based on engineering, environmental, and routing studies.
Strengthen
the electric grid with added transmission capacity
Support
large-load demands while reinforcing local system
Prepare
for growing energy needs in
Georgia.
What to Expect
As the project progresses, you may experience different impacts depending on your location in relation to the project. Below are some examples of what you may encounter.
- Vegetation Removal
- Site Grading
- Noise and Traffic
- Construction Activities
- Restoration
Project Timeline
The project timeline is tentative and subject to change as planning continues.
| Early Spring 2026 |
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| Summer 2026 |
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| Late Summer 2026 |
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| Winter 2026 |
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| Spring 2027 |
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| Summer 2027 |
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This map shows the current proposed project route and is being provided to help communities understand the project's anticipated location. The route is preliminary and may change as engineering, environmental reviews, and field assessments are completed.
MAP NOT BASED ON FIELD SURVEY DATA
Structure and Line Locations based on Pre-Engineering data and subject to change
- Substation
- Proposed transmission line
Please note:
If you're located near the project, general updates will be shared to keep you informed of key milestones and progress.
Along the Line
See how we're investing in our communities, protecting Georgians from rising energy costs, and building a reliable energy grid.
Helping Augusta Grow Back
Following Hurricane Helene, Georgia Power is supporting the Grow Back Project, a community-led initiative to restore Augusta's tree canopy. Working alongside the University of Georgia and the Community Foundation for the CSRA, the project provides residents with resources and support to replant trees, enhance neighborhood green spaces and help build a stronger, more resilient community.
Rebuilding Opportunity at Camp Tanglewood
We were proud to support the revitalization of Camp Tanglewood with a $100,000 contribution to the Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia’s new Dream Lab, a STEM education center being built after Hurricane Helene devastated the camp’s Columbia County facilities. The investment will create hands-on learning opportunities that inspire the next generation of innovators, engineers and community leaders across the region.
- Supporting Safer Places to Play in Hall
- Expanding Affordable Homes in Gwinnett
Helping Augusta Grow Back
Following Hurricane Helene, Georgia Power is supporting the Grow Back Project, a community-led initiative to restore Augusta's tree canopy. Working alongside the University of Georgia and the Community Foundation for the CSRA, the project provides residents with resources and support to replant trees, enhance neighborhood green spaces and help build a stronger, more resilient community.
Rebuilding Opportunity at Camp Tanglewood
Georgia Power helped support the revitalization of Camp Tanglewood with a $100,000 contribution to the Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia’s new Dream Lab, a STEM education center being built after Hurricane Helene devastated the camp’s Columbia County facilities. The investment will create hands-on learning opportunities that inspire the next generation of innovators, engineers and community leaders across the region.
We've Lowered Rates
Since June, Georgia Power customers will see lower electric rates, delivering meaningful savings while maintaining reliable energy service.
Connecting Communities
We’re investing in generation, smart grid infrastructure, and advanced technologies to deliver reliable energy to 2.8 million customers—every day, in every season.
Keeping You Informed
Throughout this project, you may receive updates via email, letter, postcard or door hanger.
Have questions about this project?
Below are answers to common questions and what you can expect as work moves forward.
About the Project
What is this project and why is it happening?
This Callaway Road–Thomson 500 kV Transmission Project is expected to include a new 500/230 kV substation and approximately 17 miles of new 500 kV transmission infrastructure. Georgia is experiencing rapid growth, including large-load customers such as data centers, which require significant new electric capacity and long-term infrastructure planning. Transmission projects like this are planned in advance to ensure the electric grid can reliably meet both new and existing energy demands while supporting continued growth in the region.
How will this project benefit my community?
The Callaway Road–Thomson 500 kV Transmission Project will strengthen the local electric grid by adding capacity and improving reliability in Columbia and McDuffie counties. The project supports the energy needs of a large load customer that requires new transmission infrastructure, while also enhancing the system that serves homes, businesses, and critical facilities and increasing flexibility to support future growth and evolving energy needs across the region.
How are substation locations and line routes determined?
We have a thorough process for determining transmission line routing and facility placement. We carefully evaluate routes and consider factors such as safety, existing land uses in the area, existing corridors, environmental conditions, and engineering practices related to the construction and operation of the lines.
Learn how Georgia Power selects project locations and routes.
General Transmission Questions
Why does Georgia Power need land for energy projects?
Energy infrastructure like transmission lines and substations helps ensure electricity remains reliable and affordable for the communities we serve. As Georgia continues to grow, we must responsibly expand and strengthen the grid to meet increasing demand. Learn more about the land acquisition process.
What are transmission lines?
Transmission lines transmit high-voltage electricity from the generation source or substation to another substation in the electric grid. Overhead transmission lines carry a three-phase current and can vary in voltage. Learn more.
What is a line route?
A line route refers to the path or corridor that a transmission line follows from its starting point to its endpoint. The route is selected based on various considerations, including safety, existing land uses in the area, existing transmission corridors, environmental conditions, engineering practices related to the construction and operation of the lines.
What is the Integrated Resource Plan?
The Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) guides investments in generation and transmission to meet forecasted demand, ensuring reliable service for all customers. More about the IRP and our long-term energy planning process managed by the Georgia PSC
What is an easement?
An easement is a legal right to use another person's land for a specific purpose, where a payment is paid to the owner of the property in return for the right of easement. This right allows the easement holder to enter and use the land for activities such as utility installation, access, or maintenance. The original owner retains legal title to the land, but the easement holder has the right to use it as specified in the easement agreement.
Are there health risks or safety concerns from living near substations or power lines?
Decades of research show no link between EMF exposure from power lines and disease. EMFs are common in everyday electrical devices, and power lines meet national safety standards. Read our Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMF) Information Guide (PDF) for an overview of the science and research about EMFs.
We are committed to keeping residents, business owners, and all community members informed throughout every stage of the project. Please submit any questions you have here. Your feedback is important, and we encourage you to reach out so we can provide the support and information you need throughout the project.
