While some critics have accused Georgia Power of being late to the game when it comes to pushing for renewable energy options, the utility has made a major push to increase its presence in the solar power market – and it is well ahead of schedule.
In 2016 Georgia Power signed an agreement with the Public Service Commission (PSC) which committed to increasing the company’s renewable energy output. The Renewable Energy Development Initiative (REDI), pledged to produce 1.6 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2021. This month the company announced that it was going to hit that goal before the end of 2019.
For Georgia ‘renewable energy’ typically means solar power, as the state isn’t a viable fit for wind power. Multiple deals will see solar farms installed throughout the state, including a plant to be constructed by First Solar that will be the largest of its kind east of the Mississippi. The utility is also working alongside the U.S. military, with a 139-MW solar project to be installed at Robins Air Force Base later this year.
Said Wilson Mallard, director of Renewable Development for Georgia Power, “Renewable energy, including solar developments of all sizes in all parts of the state, plays an important role in the diverse generation mix we use to serve customers. As we continue to grow renewable resources in 2018 and beyond, we’re focused on ensuring that every project that comes online helps us keep energy reliable and affordable for our customers, today and in the future.”