ATLANTA, Nov. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Leaders from
Georgia Power and the U.S. Army joined elected officials, community
leaders and other dignitaries at Fort
Gordon near Augusta, Ga.
today to dedicate a new 30 megawatt (MW) on-base solar facility.
The 30 MW alternating current, or 42 MW direct current, solar
generation facility is the third completed by Georgia Power in
collaboration with the military, joining similar on-base solar
facilities recently unveiled with the U.S. Army at Fort Benning and the Department of the Navy
(DON) at Naval Submarine Base (SUBASE) Kings Bay.
Georgia Power is currently developing more than 150 MW of solar
generation to serve the state's electric customers through five
strategic projects with the U.S. Army and DON, including additional
projects at Fort Stewart and the
Marine Corps Logistics Base (MCLB) Albany.
"The Augusta area is on the
cutting edge of energy including both this state of the art solar
facility, as well as new carbon free energy being developed at the
Plant Vogtle expansion," said Norrie
McKenzie, vice president of renewable development for
Georgia Power. "As we mark the completion of this latest project,
we appreciate the Army's continued collaboration and recognition of
the importance that this new energy source will have for our
customers as well as the base and the surrounding community."
The Fort Gordon solar facility
was built and is owned and operated by Georgia Power with energy
delivered to the 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). Including related
transmission and distribution infrastructure, the solar project at
Fort Gordon occupies 270 acres,
utilizes approximately 137,500 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
included in 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.
About Georgia Power
Georgia Power is the largest
subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America's premier energy
company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are
the cornerstones of the company's promise to 2.5 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. Georgia Power focuses
on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and
the company is consistently recognized by J.D. Power and Associates
as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more
information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the
company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower) and Twitter
(Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower).
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