Georgia Power continues hydro fleet modernization effort to serve a growing Georgia

Rhea-AI Summary

Georgia Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), is advancing its hydroelectric fleet modernization initiative ahead of National Hydropower Day on August 24, 2025. The company operates 15 hydro generation facilities with an ownership interest in a 16th, totaling 66 hydroelectric generating units with over 1,100 MW of capacity.

With approval from the Georgia Public Service Commission in the 2025 Integrated Resource Plan, Georgia Power is upgrading facilities at Tallulah, Yonah, Bartlett's Ferry, and North Highlands. Recent progress includes completing modernization of all four units at Plant Tugalo and Bartlett's Ferry Unit 1, which returned to service in July 2025. The modernization efforts aim to extend the facilities' operational life by 40 years, improving efficiency while maintaining clean energy generation.

Positive

• None.

Negative

• Multiple facilities require significant modernization due to aging equipment
• Substantial capital investment needed for equipment replacements and refurbishments

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National Hydropower Day on August 24 highlights importance of this reliable, renewable energy source

ATLANTA, Aug. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- This Sunday, August 24, is National Hydropower Day – an annual celebration led by the National Hydropower Association and utilities across the country to recognize "hydropower's contributions to bolstering the nation's clean energy infrastructure and providing grid resiliency and reliability." Georgia Power's fleet of hydroelectric generating units is a source of emission-free energy, all licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) under the Federal Power Act (FPA), with some units serving the state of Georgia for over 100 years. The company owns and operates 15 hydro generation facilities, with an ownership interest in a 16^th, for a total of 66 hydroelectric generating units in Georgia and over 1,100 MW of hydroelectric capacity. Additionally, the development of the state's hydroelectric facilities has provided recreational resources for millions of Georgians with Georgia Power lakes such as Oconee, Burton, Tugalo and many more open to the public for camping and watersports.

Georgia Power continues to make investments in its hydro fleet with the review and approval of the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC). Most recently, the company received approval in the 2025 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) to further modernize its hydro fleet with additional investments and upgrades at the Tallulah, Yonah, Bartlett's Ferry and North Highlands hydro facilities. Read more here.

The company's investments in its hydro facilities address essential equipment that has reached or is nearing the end of its useful life and requires modernization investments to continue their generating capability and maintain compliance with their FERC licenses. Hydro modernization projects include critical replacements and/or refurbishments needed for turbines, generators, and balance of plant equipment. These investments are designed to allow these resources to operate for at least another 40 years while improving the efficiency and integrity of the hydro fleet and preserving valuable, dispatchable carbon-free resources for the long-term benefit of customers.

"For more than a century, Georgians have enjoyed reliable electricity from our hydro plants located on lakes and rivers across the state." said Rick Anderson, Georgia Power senior vice president and senior production officer for Georgia Power. "As we continue to work with the Georgia PSC to invest in our generation fleet to meet the needs of a growing Georgia, modernizing our hydro facilities helps to ensure continued compliance with federal regulations and our licenses, as well as providing additional longevity for the units and overall value for customers." 

Georgia Power recently filed an update on hydro modernization progress with the Georgia PSC, which included the completion of scope of work for all four units at Plant Tugalo. Tugalo Units 1-4 are part of the North Georgia hydro group, located near Turnerville, and began operation in 1923 and 1924. The scope of work included generator replacements, turbine replacements, and replacement of the balance of plant (BOP) systems, such as lubricating oil, service water systems, 480-volt switchgear, and the plant control system. Completion of this work at Tugalo follows similar work at nearby Plant Terrora, which was completed several years ago.

The filing also noted progress in work at Plants Bartlett's Ferry, Nacoochee, Oliver, Burton and Sinclair. Notably, work on Bartlett's Ferry Unit 1 has been completed and the unit returned to service in July of this year. Plant Bartlett's Ferry Units 1-4 are part of the Chattahoochee hydro group, located north of Columbus on the Chattahoochee River. Units 1-3 entered service in the 1920s, with Unit 4 entering service in 1951. The scope of work on these units includes generator rewinds, turbine replacements, and replacement of BOP systems, such as lubricating oil, service water systems, 480-volt switchgear, and the plant control system.

To learn more about Georgia Power's hydro facilities, and the role they play as part of the company's diverse energy mix, click here.

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 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). 

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SOURCE Georgia Power

FAQ

What is Southern Company's (NYSE: SO) hydroelectric generation capacity?

Georgia Power, Southern Company's subsidiary, operates 66 hydroelectric generating units across 15 facilities with over 1,100 MW of hydroelectric capacity.

Which hydro facilities is Georgia Power modernizing in 2025?

Georgia Power is modernizing facilities at Tallulah, Yonah, Bartlett's Ferry, and North Highlands following approval in the 2025 Integrated Resource Plan.

How long will the hydro modernization extend the facilities' operational life?

The modernization investments are designed to extend the facilities' operational life by 40 years while improving efficiency and maintaining carbon-free generation.

What recent progress has Georgia Power made in its hydro modernization efforts?

Georgia Power has completed modernization of all four units at Plant Tugalo and Bartlett's Ferry Unit 1, which returned to service in July 2025.

How many customers does Georgia Power serve?

Georgia Power serves 2.8 million customers across 155 of Georgia's 159 counties.