en.Wedoany.com Reported - Georgia Power has commenced construction of two combined-cycle natural gas units at Plant Bowen in Bartow County, Georgia, adding nearly 1.5GW of total installed capacity.

Georgia Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company, is an electric utility company. The company stated that the new units are part of its efforts to address growing electricity demand across the state. The project, previously approved by the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC), is part of a broader strategy to expand and modernize its generation portfolio, supporting population and economic growth.

Plant Bowen entered commercial operation in 1975 and currently operates four coal-fired units with a total installed capacity of 3.37GW. For decades, the plant has been a cornerstone asset in Georgia Power's energy mix, underpinning statewide power reliability and grid stability.

Georgia Power is also investing in a 500MW battery energy storage system (BESS) at Plant Bowen. The system is part of ongoing efforts to integrate energy storage into the grid and enhance operational flexibility as electricity demand patterns evolve.

The company is also advancing other investments across Georgia, including upgrades to Plant Scherer and the recent completion of the Moody Battery Facility near Valdosta. The facility adds 49.5MW of battery storage to the grid with a four-hour discharge duration.

Georgia Power's long-term infrastructure plan approved by the PSC also includes further natural gas expansions at Plant Wansley, Plant McIntosh, and Plant Yates, the construction of more than 1,000 miles of transmission lines, and the development of additional large-scale battery energy storage systems in the coming years.

In February, Southern Company and the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Dominance Financing announced a loan program of up to $26.5 billion to support eligible generation, transmission, and grid modernization projects in Georgia and Alabama. Georgia Power stated that these loans are designed to strengthen regional energy infrastructure and are expected to save customers approximately $7.3 billion in electricity costs over the 30-year loan term.

Kim Greene, chairman, president, and CEO of Georgia Power, stated that for more than 50 years, Plant Bowen has been far more than a power generation facility—it has been a source of pride and a cornerstone of the northwest Georgia community, providing quality jobs and positive economic momentum throughout the region. The company, together with its Department of Energy partners and local, state, and federal officials, is committed to ensuring that growth benefits customers, enhances reliability, and lowers rates.

For decades, Georgia Power has continued to invest in emissions control technologies at Plant Bowen and Plant Scherer, including scrubbers, selective catalytic reduction systems, and baghouses. The company reports that emissions of major air pollutants have been reduced by more than 95%. At the same time, the company has continued to upgrade generating units and expand natural gas, battery storage, nuclear, hydroelectric, and transmission assets.

Additionally, Georgia Power has begun construction of a 260MW battery energy storage system in Jefferson County. Located near Wadley, the project is scheduled for completion in 2027.