Georgia Power just pulled off something big. A power plant near Atlanta ran on a 50/50 hydrogen-natural gas blend — the first successful test of its kind anywhere in the world. The results? Fewer emissions, more questions, and a louder conversation about where the state’s energy is headed.
It happened at Plant McDonough-Atkinson in Smyrna. And while officials are calling it a step forward, environmentalists aren’t entirely buying it.
A 50/50 Blend That Made History
This wasn’t Georgia Power’s first experiment with hydrogen. But it was their boldest.
Back in 2022, they tried a 20% blend. This new run doubled that — hitting 50% hydrogen, the highest blend ever tested in a commercial-scale turbine. The outcome? A 22% drop in CO₂ emissions when compared to pure natural gas.
That’s a serious number.
The company partnered with Mitsubishi Power, which supplied the technology and support. And both sides walked away pretty happy. “This is a significant milestone,” said Mark Bissonnette from Mitsubishi Power Americas. “It’s a real validation of what’s possible.”
Why It Matters — And Why It Doesn’t Solve Everything
The success gives Georgia Power something it badly needs: a cleaner way to keep using natural gas, which still provides 40% of its electricity.
Rick Anderson, Georgia Power’s SVP of generation, didn’t mince words. “Natural gas serves a critical role,” he said. “It’s flexible. It’s reliable. It responds fast. We still need it.”
But here’s the tension. That “still need it” part? It’s exactly what’s sparking blowback.
Environmental groups say this trial — impressive or not — can’t distract from the fact that Georgia Power’s future plans still rely heavily on fossil fuels.
And they’re not wrong: the utility’s new 2025 Integrated Resource Plan includes new gas turbines. Three of them. All from Mitsubishi. All capable of running on hydrogen… eventually.
The Bigger Plan for Georgia Power
Let’s look at the bigger picture for a moment. Georgia Power submitted its 2025 IRP to the Public Service Commission earlier this year.
This is what it includes:
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Three new turbines at Plant Yates (in Coweta County)
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The ability to run those turbines on hydrogen as tech matures
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Continued use of natural gas — and some coal
That last part? The coal part? That’s where the arguments are heating up.
The PSC is set to vote on the plan July 15. Critics are already lining up.
Georgia’s Clean Energy Balancing Act
Balancing climate goals with growing energy demand isn’t easy — not in a booming state like Georgia.
One sentence to pause here.
Population is up. Industry is growing. The power grid’s under pressure. Georgia Power says natural gas isn’t just convenient; it’s necessary. You flip a switch, and gas gets things moving. Fast.
But hydrogen? Hydrogen’s more complex. It’s clean — when made the right way — but it’s also expensive and tricky to store.
That’s why this 50/50 test is being called a “demonstration” and not a launch. Full-scale hydrogen integration? Still years away.
What the Numbers Say
Let’s break it down in a way that actually makes sense. Here’s a quick snapshot comparing fuels Georgia Power currently uses:
| Fuel Type | % of Total Generation | Emission Level | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Gas | 40% | High | Mainstay of current operations |
| Coal | 17% | Very High | Being phased out slowly |
| Nuclear | 25% | Zero | Growing thanks to Plant Vogtle |
| Renewables | 12% | Zero | Solar expansion underway |
| Hydrogen Blend | Pilot only | Lower | Still experimental |
Even with renewables gaining ground, natural gas remains Georgia’s backbone. That’s not changing overnight. But now, thanks to this pilot, we know hydrogen can be part of the mix — without blowing up the grid or wrecking performance.
Still a Long Road Ahead
One paragraph, one sentence: Not everyone’s cheering.
Some environmental watchdogs are calling this hydrogen trial a “green distraction.” Their view? Georgia Power’s cleaner branding doesn’t change the fact that natural gas — even blended — is still a fossil fuel.
Others argue it’s at least a start. A cleaner bridge. A step forward while storage and grid upgrades catch up.
You can’t build an entire clean grid in one year.
That said, opponents are worried the utility’s commitment to real renewables — like solar and wind — is getting watered down by flashy pilot programs like this one.
What Comes Next After the Test
This isn’t a finish line. It’s more like a test lap.
The next step is scaling up. That means putting similar tech into those new turbines planned for Plant Yates. Georgia Power says they’ll be “hydrogen-capable” from day one.
But that doesn’t mean they’ll run on hydrogen right away.
Mitsubishi Power’s turbines are designed to be flexible — starting on natural gas, then switching over time. It’s like building a house with a future solar roof in mind: good planning, but you still need to buy the panels later.
And nobody’s pretending hydrogen production — especially green hydrogen — is cheap. Yet.
