Georgia Power has received approval from the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) for five new utility-scale solar Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) totaling 1,068 megawatts (MW). The projects will support the company's Clean and Renewable Energy Subscription (CARES) 2023 program and are expected to benefit all customers statewide.

Approved under the utility's 2022 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), the solar projects will be developed and operated by third-party providers selected through a competitive RFP process overseen by an independent evaluator and PSC staff.

The five new PPAs are:

• Mitchell County: 260 MW (25-year PPA)

• Coffee County: 200 MW (30-year PPA)

• Wilkinson County: 183 MW with 91.5 MW of battery storage (20-year PPA)

• Jefferson County: 200 MW (20-year PPA)

• Laurens County: 225 MW (20-year PPA)

Wilson Mallard, Director of Renewable Development at Georgia Power, stated: "The five projects we selected are economical and we expect they will provide energy and capacity benefits to the system and the most value for all Georgia Power customers."

The CARES program allows commercial and industrial customers to subscribe to renewable energy output, aiding in corporate sustainability efforts. With growing demand, Georgia Power is preparing additional RFPs, including a CARES 2025 round targeting up to 2,000 MW and longer-term plans for 4,000 MW of new renewables by 2035.

This move is part of the utility's broader strategy to diversify its generation portfolio and increase grid reliability through competitive procurement of renewable resources.