Land Acquisition

Our goal is to reach voluntary agreements with property owners.

The typical process includes:

• Initial Contact – A land agent will reach out to introduce the project and begin a conversation.

• Property Survey & Evaluation – Georgia Power works to determine property boundaries and ownership, then assess market value based on acreage needed, access, improvements, and other relevant factors.

• Offer & Negotiation – We present a written offer and work collaboratively to address questions or concerns.

• Agreement – When an agreement is reached, we finalize the terms and proceed accordingly.

   

We communicate openly throughout the process to ensure you feel informed and supported.

Georgia Power evaluates each property individually and considers factors such as assessed market values, property characteristics, and the nature of the property rights being acquired.

Our goal is to provide fair compensation and work directly with property owners through a transparent negotiation process. Because every property is unique, compensation amounts may vary depending on the specific property being acquired.

Typically, no. Most landowners are asked to grant an easement for a portion of their property rather than sell their entire property.

An easement allows Georgia Power to construct, operate, and maintain electric facilities while the property owner retains ownership of the land. The uses allowed within the easement area depend on the terms of the easement agreement. In some circumstances, a project may require the purchase of all or part of a property.

Learn more about Easements

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.

We follow a comprehensive, multi-step evaluation process led by a cross-functional team of experts.

This includes reviewing:

• Existing land uses (residential, agricultural, commercial, etc.)

• Opportunities to use or align with existing utility and road corridors

• Environmental factors such as wetlands, floodplains, and wildlife

• Engineering, safety, and reliability requirements

• Construction and long-term maintenance costs

   

Every route has its own benefits and challenges, and we work to identify a practical and feasible option that balances reliability, community impact, and environmental stewardship.

Eminent domain is a legal process that allows utilities to acquire land rights for essential infrastructure when a negotiated agreement cannot be reached in a timely manner. Georgia Power’s focus is always on working collaboratively with property owners to reach a fair agreement. Historically, Georgia Power has used it in less than 1% of land transactions.

We understand this is a sensitive topic and remain committed to transparency, respect, and fairness throughout the process.

We recognize that every property and every situation is unique. Our team works directly with property owners throughout the process to provide information, answer questions, and discuss project-related needs and concerns.

We are committed to:

• Listening to and considering property owner questions and concerns

• Providing timely updates throughout the process

• Communicating clearly and respectfully

• Working to minimize impacts wherever feasible

• Conducting our work in a professional manner

Acquiring land for critical infrastructure helps ensure the energy grid remains strong, resilient, and capable of meeting future needs—while helping to keep costs as low as possible for all customers.

Detailed surveys are conducted to gather information about the land, including topography, property boundaries, existing infrastructure, and environmental conditions.

We comply with all applicable state laws and only perform reasonable and minimally intrusive surveying and assessments of the property as permitted by Georgia law.

These efforts help determine if acquiring any property rights may be necessary and provides for site analysis, environmental review, historical and cultural resource evaluation, engineering analysis, and project planning.

Soil testing and environmental research are carried out to ensure the land is suitable for construction and to identify any potential environmental impacts.

Our teams provide advanced notice to property owners prior to survey and make every effort to be courteous and considerate when accessing property. As we work to expand and enhance our power grid to serve a growing state, we strive to minimize our impact on neighbors and communities.

In most cases, property owners grant us access. However, if access is refused, we may be required to exercise our legal rights through the appropriate court process to obtain access for survey activities.