ATLANTA, Sept. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Leaders from
Georgia Power and the Department of the Navy (DON) joined elected
officials, community leaders and other dignitaries at Naval
Submarine Base (SUBASE) Kings Bay
near St. Marys, Ga. today to mark
the start of operations of a new 30 megawatt (MW) on-base solar
facility. The 30 MW alternating current, or 42 MW direct current,
solar generation facility is the first completed by Georgia Power
in collaboration with the DON and joins a similar 30 MW on-base
solar facility recently completed with the U.S. Army at
Fort Benning.
Georgia Power is currently developing more than 150 MW of solar
generation to serve the state's electric customers through
strategic projects with the DON and the U.S. Army. In addition to
the facilities now online at SUBASE Kings Bay and Fort Benning, new Georgia Power solar
facilities are under construction at Fort
Gordon, Fort Stewart and
the Marine Corps Logistics Base (MCLB) Albany.
"Within a year, this site on the Georgia coast has been transformed into a
state-of-the-art solar facility that will provide energy for our
state for years to come," said Norrie
McKenzie, vice president of renewable development for
Georgia Power. "As we look forward to bringing additional on-base
solar facilities on line, we appreciate the Navy's continued
partnership and recognition of the importance of this new energy
source for our customers, the bases and local communities."
"Innovative energy technologies and collaborative relationships
are important for the Department of the Navy," said Commander, Navy
Region Southeast, Rear Admiral Mary M.
Jackson. "Ensuring our installations have secure, reliable,
resilient and affordable energy is critical for continuous
operations. Working with an innovator like Georgia Power enables
the Department of the Navy to achieve its missions and energy
efficiency goals."
The SUBASE Kings Bay solar facility was built and is owned and
operated by Georgia Power with energy delivered to state's electric
grid at or below the company's avoided cost (the amount projected
it would cost the company to generate comparable energy from other
sources). The solar project at SUBASE Kings Bay occupies 254 acres,
utilizes approximately 133,000 ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV)
panels and is estimated to represent a $75 million investment at the
installation.
In coordination with the Georgia Public Service Commission
(PSC), Georgia Power continues to develop renewable energy as part
of a diverse generation portfolio through programs designed to
prevent upward pressure on customer rates. Through the company's
various solar initiatives, millions of solar panels are being added
to Georgia's energy landscape.
Most recently, Georgia Power received approval from the Georgia PSC
to add up to 1,600 MW of new renewable generation by 2021, as well
as new demonstration projects to study wind and solar generation
opportunities as part of its 2016 Integrated Resource Plan
(IRP).
A leader in renewable development, Georgia Power was recently
named to the Smart Electric Power Alliance's (SEPA) annual Top 10
Utility Solar list in recognition of solar connections to the
state's electric grid in 2015 and was previously named the 2014
Investor-Owned Utility of the Year by the organization. To
learn more about Georgia Power's solar programs, including
resources available for residential and business customers
considering solar energy, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com/Solar.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements
Certain information contained in
this release is forward-looking information based on current
expectations and plans that involve risks and uncertainties.
Forward-looking information includes, among other things,
statements concerning the development, completion of construction
and cost of renewable energy projects. Georgia Power Company
cautions that there are certain factors that can cause actual
results to differ materially from the forward-looking information
that has been provided. The reader is cautioned not to put undue
reliance on this forward-looking information, which is not a
guarantee of future performance and is subject to a number of
uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the
control of Georgia Power Company; accordingly, there can be no
assurance that such suggested results will be realized. The
following factors, in addition to those discussed
in Georgia Power Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2015, and subsequent securities
filings, could cause actual results to differ materially from
management expectations as suggested by such forward-looking
information: the ability to control costs and avoid cost overruns
during the development and construction of generating facilities,
to construct facilities in accordance with the requirements of
permits and licenses, to satisfy any operational and environmental
performance standards and the requirements of tax credits and other
incentives, and to integrate facilities into the Southern Company
system upon completion of construction; and potential business
strategies, including acquisitions or dispositions of assets or
businesses, which cannot be assured to be completed or beneficial
to Georgia Power Company. Georgia Power Company expressly disclaims
any obligation to update any forward-looking information.
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SOURCE Georgia Power