Georgia Power, Department of Energy and elected officials celebrate the future of energy production at Plant Bowen

Rhea-AI Summary

Southern Company (NYSE: SO) subsidiary Georgia Power is reinvesting in Plant Bowen in northwest Georgia, marking construction of two new combined-cycle natural gas units adding nearly 1,500 MW of generation and a 500 MW battery energy storage system to meet rising electricity demand.

The projects are part of Georgia PSC‑approved plans and an up to $26.5 billion DOE loan package supporting eligible reliability, transmission and grid modernization investments in Georgia and Alabama. According to Georgia Power, over the loans’ roughly 30‑year term, customers are expected to see about $7.3 billion in electricity savings.

Georgia Power highlights more than 95% reductions in key air emissions at Plant Bowen, recycling of 85% of ash and gypsum, and community impacts including over 400 current jobs, about 1,000 construction roles and property tax contributions in Bartow County expected to more than double.

Positive

• DOE-backed loan package up to $26.5 billion for eligible projects
• Customers expected to save about $7.3 billion over 30-year loan term
• New Plant Bowen gas units adding nearly 1,500 MW of capacity
• New Plant Bowen battery storage system providing 500 MW
• Key air emissions at Plant Bowen reduced by more than 95%
• Georgia Power recycles 85% of ash and gypsum from operations
• Plant Bowen property tax contribution in Bartow County expected to more than double

Negative

• None.

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Northwest Georgia power plant has served customers since 1971;
Investments in efficiency and technology include advanced air emissions controls and beneficial reuse of coal ash;
Company building new natural gas units totaling nearly 1,500 MW and 500 MW of battery energy storage

ATLANTA, July 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Since bringing the first unit online in 1971, Plant Bowen has been an essential piece of Georgia Power's diverse generation mix, providing reliable energy for the state as it has grown over the decades, and it has become one of the most advanced coal-fired power plants in the world. Leaders from Georgia Power this week joined the Department of Energy (DOE), as well as elected officials and community leaders, to celebrate the legacy of the plant, as well as the exciting improvements planned and underway as the company reinvests and expands operations at the plant to meet Georgia's growing energy needs. During a ceremony on Tuesday at the plant, the company marked the start of construction of two new combined-cycle natural gas units which will add nearly 1,500 megawatts (MW) of reliable generation. Georgia Power also highlighted its broader investments at Plant Bowen, including a new 500 MW battery energy storage system (BESS) as part of the company's strategy to meet Georgia's growing electricity demand.

The new investments at Plant Bowen are part of Georgia Power's plan to meet increased demand for electricity in the coming years through projects and programs approved by the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC). As the company builds the energy infrastructure needed for a growing state, it remains focused on lowering rates and keeping energy costs stable and predictable. As part of this strategy, in February, Southern Company and the Department of Energy's Office of Energy Dominance Financing announced an up to $26.5 billion loan package to support eligible projects across Georgia and Alabama, including investments in reliable generation, transmission, and grid modernization. The loan guarantee supports projects selected through DOE's financing review process to strengthen America's energy infrastructure while delivering affordable, reliable, and secure energy for the American people. Over the approximately 30-year term of the loans, customers are expected to realize an estimated $7.3 billion in electricity savings.  

"For more than 50 years, Plant Bowen has been about more than just megawatts – it has been a source of pride and a cornerstone of the Northwest Georgia community, providing high-quality careers and a positive economic force for this entire region," said Kim Greene, chairman, president and CEO of Georgia Power at the event. "As we celebrate the new investments we're making to serve our customers across the state, and the future of this incredible plant alongside our partners from the Department of Energy and many local, state, and federal officials, we remain committed to making growth work for our customers with higher reliability and lower rates. I'm excited for what comes next at Plant Bowen, and for our entire state, as we continue to work together for a better Georgia for the next generation."

With the approval of the Georgia PSC, Georgia Power continues to expand its diverse generation mix to serve customers and meet growing energy demand with the addition of new natural gas generation, battery energy storage, nuclear uprates, investments in hydropower, as well as transmission system improvements and grid enhancements across the state. In addition to the new units at Plant Bowen, additional natural gas generation projects are planned or underway at sites such as Plant Wansley, Plant McIntosh and Plant Yates, with thousands of megawatts of additional battery energy storage systems also under development, and more than 1,000 miles of new transmission lines planned in the coming years across the state.

Most recently, Georgia Power announced the completion of the Moody Battery Facility, located just outside of Valdosta, Ga., capable of 49.5 MW of battery storage, which can be deployed back to the grid over a four-hour period. This flexible energy storage system matches the output of the nearby Moody solar facility and adds resiliency to the state's power grid. Read more here.

Plant Bowen – as well as Plant Scherer near Juliette, Ga. – are among the most advanced coal-fired power plants in the world, with Georgia Power investing billions of dollars over the decades to reduce emissions and comply with environmental regulations. In recent years, the company has added state-of-the-art technology to reduce the environmental footprint of those facilities such as scrubbers, selective catalytic reduction systems and baghouses. This investment has resulted in reductions in main air emissions by more than 95% over the past few decades.

Additionally, Georgia Power continues to research new and innovative ways to reuse coal ash that are beneficial for customers and communities. The company currently recycles 85% of all ash and gypsum, including more than 90% of fly ash, which it produces from operations for various beneficial uses such as concrete production as well as other construction products. Beneficial use can produce positive environmental, economic and performance benefits such as reduced use of resources, reduced cost of coal ash disposal, and improved strength and durability of building materials. Plant Bowen is currently home to the Ash Beneficial Use Center, a collaboration with Southern Company Research and Development and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), as well as Georgia Power's first beneficial use facility which was the largest of its kind at the time of construction in 2022.

Plant Bowen's Community Impact
Plant Bowen has been a cornerstone and major employer in Northwest Georgia for decades. The plant employs more than 400 people today and Georgia Power expects approximately 1,000 construction workers to be onsite supporting construction of the new natural gas and BESS facilities.

The investment at Plant Bowen is expected to more than double the plant's contribution to property tax revenues in Bartow County. Additionally, Georgia Power, the non-profit Georgia Power Foundation, and individual employees at Plant Bowen have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars in recent years to local organizations with major fundraisers supporting local schools and education organizations, Toys for Tots of Bartow County, foster care programs and local food banks. The Plant Bowen chapter of the Citizens of Georgia Power, a volunteer organization of Georgia Power employees, retirees, and their spouses dedicated to community service, have donated more than 8,000 hours of community service since 2021.

As the plant continues to serve Georgia Power customers, so too are employees at the plant dedicated to serving Euharlee and the surrounding community.

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).

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SOURCE Georgia Power

FAQ

What new energy investments is Georgia Power making at Plant Bowen (NYSE: SO) in 2026?

Georgia Power is building two combined-cycle natural gas units adding nearly 1,500 MW and a 500 MW battery energy storage system at Plant Bowen. According to Georgia Power, these projects support growing electricity demand and are part of a broader, Georgia PSC‑approved expansion of its generation mix.

How does the $26.5 billion DOE loan package affect Southern Company (SO) projects?

Southern Company and DOE announced an up to $26.5 billion loan package to support eligible projects in Georgia and Alabama. According to Southern Company, the loan guarantee backs selected reliability, transmission and grid modernization investments and is expected to help deliver affordable, reliable and secure energy over roughly 30 years.

What customer savings are expected from the DOE loan package supporting Georgia Power (SO)?

Over the approximately 30-year loan term, customers are expected to realize about $7.3 billion in electricity savings. According to Georgia Power, these savings are linked to DOE‑supported investments in reliable generation, transmission and grid modernization across Georgia and Alabama under the financing framework.

How is Georgia Power reducing emissions and reusing coal ash at Plant Bowen?

Georgia Power reports more than 95% reductions in main air emissions at Plant Bowen after installing scrubbers, selective catalytic reduction and baghouses. According to Georgia Power, the company currently recycles 85% of ash and gypsum, including over 90% of fly ash, for beneficial uses like concrete production.

What is the local economic impact of Plant Bowen’s expansion on Bartow County?

Plant Bowen employs more than 400 people, with about 1,000 construction workers expected during new gas and BESS builds. According to Georgia Power, the new investment is expected to more than double the plant’s property tax contribution to Bartow County, strengthening local revenues and community support.

How does Plant Bowen fit into Georgia Power’s long-term energy strategy (SO)?

Plant Bowen is part of Georgia Power’s diverse mix that includes natural gas, nuclear, coal, solar, hydro and wind. According to Georgia Power, new gas units, battery storage and transmission upgrades at Bowen support reliability, meet rising demand and align with Georgia PSC‑approved planning decisions.

What other battery storage projects has Georgia Power completed besides Plant Bowen?

Georgia Power recently completed the Moody Battery Facility near Valdosta, capable of 49.5 MW of storage with four-hour discharge. According to Georgia Power, this system matches output from the nearby Moody solar facility, adding flexibility and resilience to the state’s power grid alongside future large BESS installations.