Meet Kaleb, Operations Specialist at North Georgia Hydro

Kaleb Turk was raised in Eatonton, Georgia – a stone’s throw from Plant Harlee Branch, a since-decommissioned coal fired plant on the shores of Lake Sinclair. His grandfather spent most of Kaleb’s childhood working as a Team Leader in Operations at Plant Yates, so young Kaleb grew up seeing the plant in his back yard as both a fascination and an opportunity.

Kaleb began his career at Georgia Power immediately after high school, joining Plant Branch as an auxiliary equipment operator – transferring shortly thereafter to North Georgia Hydro to work as a B Operator before being promoted to an Operator and ultimately landing where he is now – Operations Specialist Sr for Georgia Power’s North Georgia Hydro units.

The North Georgia Hydro Group consists of six generating stations along a 28-mile stretch of the Talulah and Tugaloo Rivers, the first of which entered commercial operation in 1913, creating a catalyst for the growth of electric power in Georgia and the deep south.  Today, the group has a generating capacity of 166 megawatts of electricity and can power over 100,000 homes and businesses.

In addition to being the “original renewable,” generating carbon-free energy for Georgia for over a century, hydro power is a near-immediate option for power delivery. The units in the North Georgia Hydro Group can go from monitoring to generating power in 90 seconds.

As an Operations Specialist Senior, Kaleb manages the plants’ safety programs, including the Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) program, and oversees operator training. He is also responsible for scheduling and operational planning for the group. His role ensures adherence to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) guidelines, maintaining minimum flows and lake levels to support both energy generation and environmental sustainability.

Kaleb understands both the history and magnitude of his position – the latest in a long line of dedicated professionals who have made it possible for Georgia to grow and thrive for over a century – and he is determined to be a good steward of that legacy.

"I want to leave North Georgia Hydro in good hands for the next 100 years, ensuring that we continue to generate clean energy and respect the legacy of those who built these plants."