Georgia Power receives approval from Georgia PSC for five new solar facilities to supply CARES 2023 solar program

Core Points - Georgia Power has received approval for five new utility-scale solar power purchase agreements (PPAs) totaling 1,068 megawatts (MW) to enhance its Clean and Renewable Energy Subscription (CARES) 2023 program [1][3] - The CARES program allows commercial and industrial customers to purchase subscriptions for a share of renewable resource production, reflecting a growing demand for sustainability initiatives [2] - The selected projects are expected to provide long-term benefits to customers and diversify Georgia Power's generation mix, enhancing reliability [3][4] Project Details - The five new solar facilities will be located in various counties in Georgia, including: - Mitchell County: 260 MW capacity with a 25-year PPA - Coffee County: 200 MW capacity with a 30-year PPA - Wilkinson County: 183 MW capacity with a 20-year PPA, plus a 91.5 MW battery storage system - Jefferson County: 200 MW capacity with a 20-year PPA - Laurens County: 225 MW capacity with a 20-year PPA [8] Future Plans - Georgia Power's 2025 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) aims to procure up to 4,000 MW of renewable resources by 2035, with an initial target of 1,100 MW through competitive processes [6] - The CARES 2025 RFP has been issued, targeting up to 2,000 MW of utility-scale solar projects, with commercial operation dates expected as early as 2028 [5]