Appling County to get substantial Solar development
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Georgia Power receives approval for 1,137 MW of new solar power purchase agreements through CARES program
CARES 2023 solar procurement is largest in company history; Successful multiyear program expands renewable energy portfolio for customers
On September 10 Georgia Power Company announced it has received approval from the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) for 1,137 megawatts (MW) of new solar power purchase agreements (PPAs) through the CARES 2023 and CARES 2025 request for proposals (RFP) programs, expanding the company’s renewable energy portfolio for customers across the state. Procurement under the 2023 program period represents the largest single solar procurement in Georgia Power’s history.
The CARES program has been developed with the Georgia PSC and allows eligible subscribers to support their sustainability initiatives by purchasing a subscription for a pro-rata share of the production of renewable resources. Customer demand for such subscriptions continues to grow from customers. Georgia Power, which is recognized as a national leader in cost-effective solar development, seeks renewable resources to enhance its diverse generation portfolio through competitive RFP processes, a process which helps maintain flexibility amid changing market conditions and enables the company to continue to provide more carbon-free energy to customers.
“These new solar resources will deliver affordable and reliable energy at a fixed price for the benefit of all Georgia Power customers for years to come,” said Wilson Mallard, director of renewable development for Georgia Power. “The approval of these agreements by the Georgia PSC helps advance cost-effective renewable energy in our state and adds more than 1,100 megawatts of renewable energy resources to our diverse generation portfolio. Renewable energy plays an important role in how we are meeting Georgia’s continued growth and expanding access to carbon-free energy for customers through the CARES subscription program.”
Approved Solar Power Purchase Agreements
The Georgia PSC approved seven solar PPAs totaling 1,137 MW through the CARES 2025 RFP, which was approved in the 2022 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), and additional CARES 2023 procurements. The projects are expected to begin commercial operation as early as 2029.
Projects include:
– Appling County: 78 MW
– Decatur County: 130 MW
– Jefferson County: 194 MW
– Sumter County: 200 MW
– Warren County: 150 MW
– Emanuel County: 185 MW
– Irwin County: 200 MW
The recent approval of additional procurements follows 1,068 MW of projects approved for the CARES 2023 program in September 2025. Projects approved at that time include Coffee County, Jefferson County, Laurens County, Mitchell County and Wilkinson County PPAs.
(Editor’s note: A 78 MW solar development is estimated to be approximately 350-550 acres in size. The News-Banner reached out to multiple sources at Georgia Power and asked about the specific location of the new solar site. As of press time, the company has not responded to our request.)
Expanding Renewable Energy Options
Georgia Power’s renewable energy strategy continues to evolve through customer-driven programs and competitive renewable procurements. The company recently opened enrollment for the new CARES Customer Identified Resource (CARES CIR) program, which allows eligible commercial and industrial customers to identify renewable energy projects for potential participation in the CARES program at prices designed to create value for all Georgia Power customers.
CARES CIR, which is approved for up to 3,000 additional MW of renewable energy projects, divides projects into two distinct programs:
CARES CIR Utility-Scale allows eligible metered customers with annual energy demands above 3 MW to subscribe to renewable projects larger than 6 MW.
CARES CIR Distributed Generation allows eligible metered commercial and industrial customers with smaller annual energy demands between 1 MW and 3 MW to subscribe to locally sourced solar projects in Georgia ranging from 250 kilowatts to 6 MW in size.
For more information about Georgia Power’s CARES programs, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com/CARES.
About Georgia Power
Georgia Power is the largest electric 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 2.8 million customers in all but four of Georgia’s 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Georgia Power offers rates below the national average, focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and the company is recognized by J.D. Power as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), X (X.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram (instagram.com/ga_power).
