Georgia Power has commenced construction on 765 megawatts (MW) of new battery energy storage systems (BESS) across four counties in Georgia, aiming to significantly enhance grid reliability, resiliency, and renewable integration as the state’s energy demands continue to grow.
The energy storage systems, approved through the Georgia Public Service Commission’s (PSC) Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) process, are being developed in Bibb, Lowndes, Floyd, and Cherokee counties. These strategically located facilities are designed to store excess energy—particularly from solar—during low-demand periods and dispatch it during peak hours, such as cold winter mornings.
The Hammond BESS in Floyd County (57.5 MW) utilizes existing transmission infrastructure from the now-retired Plant Hammond. Meanwhile, the McGrau Ford BESS in Cherokee County will deliver a massive 530 MW in two phases and will benefit from efficiencies in land use and substation expansion. Both projects are being developed by Burns & McDonnell and Crowder Industrial Construction.
Other key sites include Robins BESS in Bibb County (128 MW), co-located with a solar facility near Robins Air Force Base, and Moody BESS in Lowndes County (49.5 MW), situated adjacent to Moody Air Force Base. These sites benefit from existing infrastructure, avoiding the need for new transmission facilities and enabling faster deployment.
Rick Anderson, Senior Vice President at Georgia Power, emphasized the role of BESS in the evolving energy mix. “These battery systems are critical to supporting grid flexibility and the efficient use of renewable resources,” he stated.
The projects are expected to be fully operational between May and November 2026, marking a major milestone in Georgia Power’s clean energy roadmap.
