Georgia Power is betting on a data center-driven future, unveiling a long-term energy roadmap that forecasts unprecedented industrial growth — and plenty of controversy.
Data Centers Take Center Stage
In an exhaustive eight-hour testimony before Georgia’s Public Service Commission, Georgia Power executives laid out a bold vision: a decade-long Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) designed to meet the surging energy demands of data centers supporting artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and other power-hungry technologies.
The numbers are staggering. The company projects an 8,000-megawatt boost in power demand through the early 2030s. To put that in perspective, that’s roughly equivalent to the output of seven nuclear reactors. But the utility isn’t stopping there — they’re eyeing a potential 40,000-megawatt surge driven by industrial interest across the state.
“We’re preparing for a Georgia that’s growing faster and hungrier for power than ever before,” said Jeff Grubb, Georgia Power’s director of resource and policy planning. “Data centers are at the forefront of that demand.”
Balancing Growth with Reliability — and Skepticism
Georgia Power’s plan isn’t just about meeting demand. It’s about balancing reliability, cost, and environmental considerations. The proposal includes:
- 1,000 miles of new transmission lines to handle increased load.
- Expanded solar storage to supplement the grid.
- Ongoing investments in nuclear, natural gas, coal, and hydropower.
Yet critics remain wary. Community activists and environmental groups, like the Sierra Club of Georgia, argue the plan leans too heavily on fossil fuels, with only modest nods to renewable energy.
“Data centers may drive economic growth, but they shouldn’t drive us deeper into an outdated, dirty energy model,” said Keyanna Jones Moore, a Sierra Club community activist leading protests outside the commission meeting.
The Data Center Pipeline: Reality or Overhype?
One of the sharpest points of contention is Georgia Power’s industrial pipeline forecast. The utility tracks companies showing interest in Georgia alongside those that have formally committed to building data centers — a line that can blur, especially with the high-stakes rush to attract tech giants.
Grubb defended the company’s track record, insisting their forecasting models rely on years of industrial data and collaboration with potential customers.
“It doesn’t mean that every industry we model has a Georgia Power staff member on-site,” Grubb acknowledged. “But we work with those customers, and we learn from them.”
Public Service Commission attorneys pushed back, questioning whether Georgia Power has enough direct experience working with the next generation of data center operators — especially those running complex artificial intelligence systems.
Economic Development vs. Ratepayer Risks
Beyond the megawatts and transmission lines, Georgia Power’s strategy leans heavily on economic development. Company officials touted their outreach efforts, positioning the state as a prime destination for commercial and industrial heavyweights.
But ratepayer advocates worry that overly optimistic projections could leave Georgia residents footing the bill for infrastructure that may outpace actual demand.
“It’s one thing to attract big-name companies,” said a PSC public interest attorney. “It’s another thing entirely to ensure everyday customers aren’t left holding the bag if those deals don’t materialize.”
The commission’s final decision on the plan could reshape Georgia’s energy landscape for decades. For now, Georgia Power is betting big on data centers — and the state’s economic future may depend on whether that gamble pays off.
