Energizing a Growing Georgia: The Essential Role of Battery Energy Storage Systems

Georgia continues to experience rapid growth. That’s why Georgia Power is investing in the latest technologies to improve reliability, affordability, and sustainability.

To meet the state’s growing demand for energy, communities and utilities are adding renewable energy sources to their portfolios. While these energy sources are abundant and produce zero emissions, they each come with a significant challenge: water levels fluctuate, the sun doesn't always shine, and the wind doesn't always blow – which leads to fluctuations in energy supply.

Benefits of Battery Storage

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are designed to address these challenges by storing excess renewable energy when demand is low and releasing it when demand is high. This capability promotes a steady and reliable supply of electricity, regardless of the variability in renewable energy generation. 

By effectively balancing supply and demand, BESS enhances the stability and resilience of the power grid. This happens in a few ways: 

• Enhancing Grid Reliability. Battery energy storage systems provide fast frequency response, ensuring that the grid remains stable, and support the continued addition of clean and renewable energy.
• Improving Resiliency and Affordability. By storing generated energy, battery systems support the grid, making it more flexible and resilient. These systems also help utilities manage peak demand periods more efficiently, reducing the need for more expensive options during times of high energy demand. 
• Supporting Locally Generated Energy. Expansion of customer-sited generation resources helps meet the state's growing energy needs. Approved in the 2025 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), new BESS programs include Customer Connected Solar Program enhancements and a Customer-Sited Solar Plus Storage Pilot, providing opportunities for residential and small commercial customers to add solar and storage resources. Storing and utilizing locally generated solar energy minimizes the need for energy drawn from the central grid, leading to a more distributed energy system. 

BESS Projects in Georgia

Georgia Power’s BESS are strategically located across Georgia. The 65-megawatt Mossy Branch BESS, located in Talbot County, entered commercial operation in November 2024 as Georgia Power’s first “grid-connected” standalone unit.

Another 765 megawatts of new battery storage capacity, authorized by the Georgia Public Service Commission through the IRP process, is projected to enter commercial operation in 2026. This capacity is from:

• Moody BESS (Lowndes County, 49.5 megawatts). Co-located with the existing solar facility adjacent to the Moody Air Force Base, leveraging existing infrastructure and expediting deployment.
• Hammond BESS (Floyd County, 57.5 megawatts). Standalone BESS operating from existing infrastructure at the retired coal-fired Plant Hammond facility, allowing utilization of already identified transmission capacity.
• Robins BESS (Bibb County, 128 megawatts). Co-located with the existing solar facility adjacent to the Robins Air Force Base, leveraging existing infrastructure and expediting deployment.
• McGrau Ford Phase I & II BESS (Cherokee County, 530 megawatts). A two-phase BESS project under construction, allowing cost-effective expansion of the project level substation and generation tie line without constructing a new substation. 

Building the Future of Energy

Georgia Power is committed to strengthening the power grid and improving delivery of clean, safe, reliable, and affordable energy to our 2.8 million customers. BESS will continue to play a critical role in the power grid of the future, improving reliability and advancing sustainability. Additionally, the integration of BESS with other technologies like smart grids and electric vehicles creates new opportunities for optimizing energy use and enhancing grid resilience. 

As Georgia Power continues to innovate and invest in battery storage, we are not only meeting the energy needs of today but also paving the way for a cleaner, more resilient, and more sustainable energy future for all. To learn more about our commitment to energy innovation, visit our website.