ATLANTA, Jan. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power
today filed its 2016 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) with the
Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC). The company files an IRP
every three years to outline how it can best meet Georgia's changing energy needs for the next
20 years.
"As we navigate the changing energy and environmental landscape,
striking the right balance between reliability and affordability is
crucial to protecting our customers," said John Pemberton, senior vice president and senior
production officer for Georgia Power. "We remain committed to best
meeting customers' needs today while maintaining the flexibility to
provide a secure energy future for Georgia."
The IRP process includes projections of future fuel costs; load
and energy forecasts; an analysis of currently available generation
technologies; the 10-year transmission plan; and an economic
assessment of potential and proposed energy efficiency and demand
response programs. The company also evaluated the
cost-effectiveness of its generating fleet in light of increasing
environmental regulations.
As part of today's filing, Georgia Power is requesting approval
of its Renewable Energy Development Initiative, a program that will
bring an additional 525 MW of renewable generation to the company's
portfolio and is expected to deliver energy savings for customers.
In addition, outlined in the IRP is a comprehensive and detailed
analysis that provides the framework for determining and allocating
the projected benefits and costs of integrating additional
renewable resources in Georgia,
while maintaining reliability and affordability.
The 2016 plan also proposes energy efficiency targets similar to
those approved in the previous IRP, while adding new, innovative
energy-saving programs for both residential and commercial
customers. By 2019, these programs are designed to reduce peak
demand approximately 1,900 MW, which is 12 percent of the company's
current load.
Finally, the company is requesting the decertification of
certain generation assets, including one coal unit and two small
oil-fired combustion turbines at Plant Mitchell near Albany, Georgia, as well as a combustion
turbine (CT) at Plant Kraft on the Georgia coast. Georgia Power is also seeking
to decertify and sell the company's ownership in an oil-fired CT
located in Intercession City,
Florida to majority owner Duke Energy Florida.
Today's filing initiates a series of additional filings and
public hearings with the PSC. Following this process, the PSC is
expected to vote on the company's IRP request this summer.
To learn more about how Georgia Power is meeting the needs of
customers through a flexible, balanced energy portfolio visit
www.GeorgiaPower.com.
About Georgia Power
Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company
(NYSE: SO), one of the nation's largest generators of
electricity. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and
Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company's promise to 2.4
million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to
delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy at rates
below the national average, Georgia Power maintains a diverse,
innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, 21st century coal
and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric
and wind. Consistently recognized as a leader in customer
service, Georgia Power was recently ranked highest in overall
business customer satisfaction among large utilities in the South
by J.D. Power and Associates. For more information, visit
www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook
(Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower) and Twitter
(Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower).
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SOURCE Georgia Power