Georgia Power seeks 540 MW of new large-scale renewable generation

Georgia Power continues to grow renewable energy in Georgia through the Renewable Energy Development Initiative (REDI), as approved by the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) in 2016. REDI authorizes Georgia Power to procure 1,200 MW of renewables through multiple programs.  The final REDI solicitation is underway, and Georgia Power is now accepting bids for utility scale renewable projects through a Request for Proposals (RFP) for 540 megawatts (MW) to fulfill the remaining capacity of the REDI Utility Scale procurement.

“We are proud of the principles that we have built upon with REDI, such as competitive bidding, as we continue to procure renewable energy from cost effective resources to maximize the benefits for our customers,” said Wilson Mallard, director of Renewable Development for Georgia Power. “Georgia Power has worked with the PSC to be a national leader in renewable energy and we are eager to receive, review and select projects from this RFP that will provide significant long-term value.”

Georgia Power is soliciting eligible renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind or biomass) projects greater than 3 MW, up to 540 MW in size in this RFP. The solicitation also allows for proposals that include energy storage in conjunction with a renewable resource. The RFP is being conducted with oversight by the Accion Group, Inc., which is serving as the Independent Evaluator for the process. Interested parties are invited to review terms of the RFP and submit proposals here by noon on January 15, 2019.

In late 2017, Georgia Power awarded power purchase agreements (PPAs) for 510 MW of new solar projects in the first phase of REDI’s utility scale procurement. Three projects are currently under development in Central, South and Southwest Georgia and represent the largest individual solar projects in Georgia to date.

Through programs and projects developed in coordination with the Georgia PSC, Georgia Power is committed to maintaining a diverse generation portfolio, while providing customers with renewable energy options. With 976 MW* of solar capacity currently online, the company continues to grow the largest voluntary renewable portfolio in the nation. Through continued implementation of REDI, as well as other solar projects and programs, Georgia Power expects to have added up to 1,600 MW* of additional renewable resources by the end of 2021.

All customers will benefit from the projected long-term energy savings from the REDI large-scale procurements. Additionally, customers can support solar growth through optional programs such as Georgia Power Community Solar and Simple Solar. Community Solar gives residential customers who subscribe the opportunity to earn a bill credit based on actual solar energy production at Georgia Power's Community Solar facilities. The Simple Solar program is a solar renewable energy credit (REC) purchase program available to all customers that allows participants to claim solar benefits for either 50 percent or 100 percent of their energy usage.

To learn more about these or Georgia Power's other solar programs, as well as solar tools and resources for customers, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com/Solar.

* REC Disclaimer: Georgia Power purchases only the null energy output from some renewable generating facilities that have contracted to sell that energy to Georgia Power. Ownership of the associated RECs is specified in each respective power purchase agreement. The party that owns the RECs retains the right to use them.