Georgia Power awards largest distributed generation solar procurement in company’s history

Georgia Power has awarded the final contracts in the largest set of distributed generation (DG) solar power purchase agreements in company history. Thanks to the Georgia Public Service Commission’s (PSC) recent approval, 16 new contracts, totaling 70 megawatts (MW) of new third-party solar, are moving forward as a part of the 2024 distributed generation request for proposals (RFP). These agreements build on the momentum from 2024, when an additional 12 contracts were approved and completed, adding another 41 MW of new DG solar to the system. Altogether, this represents the largest DG procurement Georgia Power has ever completed, with more than 110 MW of new solar coming online.  This program, that is delivering real benefits for customers and communities across the state, was originally proposed by Georgia Power and approved by the PSC as a part of the 2022 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP).

"Georgia continues to grow and experience an increased demand for electricity, driven by a strong economy and robust economic development activities. This milestone underscores how distributed generation solar is helping us deliver clean and reliable energy for our customers through effective long-term planning with the Georgia PSC," said Rick Anderson, senior vice president and senior production officer for Georgia Power. "By working with solar developers across the state, we’re expanding access to cost-effective renewable resources while strengthening Georgia’s energy infrastructure, maintaining reliability and keeping energy affordable for millions of Georgians.” 

Georgia Power’s distributed generation RFPs give solar developers an opportunity to commit to long-term power purchase agreements for projects ranging from 250 kilowatts (kW) to 6 MW. These RFPs play an important role in the company's long-term renewable strategy, helping to bring more clean energy onto the grid through a competitive process that delivers value to all Georgia Power customers. Under this program, third-party developers build and maintain solar facilities, and Georgia Power purchases 100% of the renewable energy they produce. This approach not only supports continued growth in clean energy but also helps maintain flexibility as market conditions evolve, allowing the company to continue to provide reliable and affordable carbon-free energy to communities across the state.

 Over the next two years, Georgia Power will seek an additional 100+ MW of solar distributed generation in an effort to expand Georgia Power’s solar portfolio. Approved in the 2025 Integrated Resource Plan, two additional distributed generation RFPs with a target of 50 MW each will be released for bid in 2026 and 2027. These projects are expected to be online and generating much needed energy by 2028.

Adding Renewable Energy to a Diverse Generation Mix & Customer Programs 

Georgia has long been recognized as a national leader in responsible solar development, regularly ranking in the Top 10 states for solar growth by the Solar Energy Industries Association. Working closely with the Georgia PSC, Georgia Power has continued to grow its voluntary solar portfolio in a thoughtful way, one that supports clean energy expansion without compromising reliability or increasing costs for customers. Georgia Power has one of the largest voluntary renewable portfolios in the country, with more than 4,900 MW of renewable resources already online and an additional 5,100 MW under development. Looking ahead, the company is planning to increase its renewable resource portfolio to 10,000 MW by 2032.

Beyond developing large-scale renewable generation resources as part of a broader diverse energy mix, Georgia Power also offers a variety of programs to help both business and residential customers explore solar options.  Visit GeorgiaPower.com to learn about programs such as Simple Solar, which allows customers to pay a little more to support solar growth, as well as community solar, which allows customers to subscribe to a portion of a local solar energy facility. The company also provides interactive tools on the website to help customers explore their options and determine if solar is right for them.