Georgia Power receives turbine and generator for new Unit 9 at Plant Yates

Rhea-AI Summary

Georgia Power (NYSE: SO) received the turbine and generator for new Unit 9 at Plant Yates, advancing construction of three simple-cycle combustion turbines (Units 8–10) that together will provide 1,300 MW of capacity. Unit 9 components include a Mitsubishi Power M501JAC turbine and a Mitsubishi Electric VP-X generator rated at 583 MVA and with reported efficiency of 99%. Unit 8 components arrived in August; Unit 10 components are expected in early 2026. The CTs target operational readiness by end of 2027, use air-cooled designs with ~30-minute start-up, can run on oil as contingency, and have hydrogen-blend capability with future modifications.

Construction is expected to create about 600 temporary jobs and 15 permanent jobs. The project was approved in the 2023 IRP and aligns with additional capacity actions in the 2025 IRP.

Positive

• Three new CTs totaling 1,300 MW generation capacity
• Generators rated 583 MVA with reported 99% efficiency
• Target online timing: by end of 2027
• Construction supports approximately 600 temporary jobs

Negative

• Natural gas already supplies 40% of company annual generation
• Project subject to schedule and cost risks from construction delays

News Market Reaction – SO

+1.85%

1 alert

+1.85% News Effect

On the day this news was published, SO gained 1.85%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

New CT units: 3 units New capacity: 1,300 MW Turbine weight: 350 tons +5 more

8 metrics

New CT units 3 units Combustion turbines being built at Plant Yates

New capacity 1,300 MW Total generation capacity from three new units at Plant Yates

Turbine weight 350 tons Approximate weight of each Mitsubishi Power M501JAC turbine

Generator rating 583 MVA Rating of each Mitsubishi Electric Power VP-X generator

Generator efficiency 99% World-leading efficiency of VP-X generators

Construction jobs 600 jobs Estimated jobs during Plant Yates expansion construction

Permanent jobs added 15 jobs Increase in permanent workforce at Plant Yates to 75 positions

New CC capacity request 3,692 MW Five new combined cycle units in all-source RFP certification filing

Market Reality Check

Price: $97.38 Vol: Volume 4,795,169 is below...

normal vol

$97.38 Last Close

Volume Volume 4,795,169 is below the 20-day average of 6,136,669 (relative volume 0.78x). normal

Technical Price at $84.44 is trading below the 200-day MA ($91.63) and 16.26% under the 52-week high.

Peers on Argus

SO slipped 0.34% while key peers were mixed: DUK +0.7%, NGG +0.43%, D +1.85%, ve...

SO slipped 0.34% while key peers were mixed: DUK +0.7%, NGG +0.43%, D +1.85%, versus AEP -0.76% and XEL -0.82%, suggesting stock-specific factors rather than a broad sector move.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Dec 10 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 10	Regulatory agreement	Positive	-1.6%	Stipulated agreement to add ~9,900 MW while lowering customer costs.
Dec 08	Transmission expansion	Positive	-0.8%	Major South Metro Atlanta transmission projects under a 10-year IRP plan.
Dec 02	Rate strategy	Positive	+0.0%	Alabama Power commitment to keep regulated retail rate components steady.
Nov 26	Customer engagement	Neutral	+1.1%	Holiday contest and customer outreach with energy-efficiency messaging.
Nov 10	Community support	Positive	-0.7%	40th anniversary of Project SHARE and cumulative assistance milestones.

Pattern Detected

Recent positive regulated-utility news for SO often coincided with flat or negative next-day moves, indicating a tendency for modest or contrarian reactions to constructive regulatory and infrastructure updates.

Recent Company History

Over the last six weeks, SO-related utilities have issued several growth and customer-focused updates. On Nov 10, Georgia Power highlighted long-running charitable support via Project SHARE. Late November brought community and transmission expansion news, followed by Alabama Power’s Dec 2 commitment to steady rates through 2027. On Dec 8 and Dec 10, Georgia Power outlined large transmission projects and a stipulated agreement enabling ~9,900 MW of new resources. Today’s Plant Yates turbine delivery fits this pattern of capacity and reliability investments amid mixed short-term price reactions.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights continued execution on Georgia Power’s growth plans, with delivery of k...

Analysis

This announcement highlights continued execution on Georgia Power’s growth plans, with delivery of key components for Unit 9 at Plant Yates and a total of 1,300 MW of new capacity planned from three combustion turbines. The project features high-efficiency Mitsubishi equipment and fuel flexibility, including future hydrogen blending potential. Viewed alongside recent IRP approvals and transmission expansions, it underscores a multi-year build-out to meet rising demand. Investors may watch construction timelines, regulatory filings, and future cost or capacity updates as key metrics for this capital program.

Key Terms

simple-cycle gas combustion turbine, megawatts, megavolt-amperes, integrated resource plan (irp), +3 more

7 terms

simple-cycle gas combustion turbine technical

"Each new Plant Yates CT includes a state-of-the-art Mitsubishi Power M501JAC simple-cycle gas combustion turbine..."

A simple-cycle gas combustion turbine is a power unit that burns natural gas (or other fuels) to spin a turbine and generate electricity in one direct step, without capturing the exhaust heat to make extra power. Think of it like a car engine that turns a generator but doesn’t reuse its hot exhaust; that makes it quicker and cheaper to build and start, but less fuel-efficient and more costly to run over time — factors that affect operating costs, emissions, and return on investment for energy projects.

megawatts technical

"the three units will provide 1,300 megawatts (MW) of generation capacity for customers."

A megawatt is a measure of electrical power equal to one million watts, describing how much electricity a plant or device can generate or use at a single moment. Investors use megawatts to compare the size and earning potential of energy projects—larger capacity usually means more electricity to sell—much like comparing the horsepower of engines to judge how much work they can do. Knowing megawatts helps assess scale, revenue potential, and grid impact of energy assets.

megavolt-amperes technical

"VP-X generators are highly efficient, hydrogen cooled units that are rated at 583 megavolt-amperes (MVA) each..."

Megavolt-amperes (MVA) measure the apparent electrical power capacity of equipment like transformers and generators; one MVA equals one million volt‑amperes and reflects the product of voltage and current without judging how efficiently that power is used. For investors, MVA is a quick way to size infrastructure — similar to a pipe’s diameter for water — indicating whether equipment can handle demand, affecting capital needs, reliability, and regulatory compliance.

integrated resource plan (irp) regulatory

"approved by the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) in the 2023 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) Update..."

An integrated resource plan (IRP) is a long-range strategy used by utilities and regulators to decide how to meet future electricity demand through a mix of power plants, grid upgrades, energy purchases, efficiency programs and demand-reduction measures. It matters to investors because the IRP sets expected capital spending, operating costs, and regulatory approvals that shape a utility’s future revenue, risk profile and rate changes — like a household budget that plans major purchases and monthly bills years ahead.

combined cycle technical

"approved for combined-cycle and simple-cycle upgrades on all combustion turbines at Plant McIntosh..."

A combined cycle is a power-generation setup that pairs a gas turbine with a steam turbine so the hot exhaust from the gas turbine is reused to make steam and produce additional electricity. For investors, it matters because this “use what would be waste” approach raises fuel efficiency, lowers operating costs and emissions per megawatt-hour, and can improve profit margins and competitiveness compared with single-process plants.

all-source rfp financial

"Natural gas is also a part of the ongoing all-source RFP certification filing with the PSC."

An all-source RFP is a formal request for proposals issued to any qualified suppliers, inviting competing bids and solutions instead of selecting a single preferred vendor. For investors, it signals an open, competitive procurement process that can lower costs, spur innovation, reduce dependence on one provider, and affect project timelines and company margins—like an open auction that often yields better prices and options.

forward-looking statements regulatory

"Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsCertain information contained in this release..."

Forward-looking statements are predictions or plans that companies share about what they expect to happen in the future, like estimating sales or profits. They matter because they help investors understand a company's outlook, but since they are based on guesses and assumptions, they can sometimes be wrong.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

 Progress continues on new Units 8 and 9 as expansion moves forward to meet Georgia's growing energy demand

ATLANTA, Dec. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Progress continues on new natural gas generation units at Plant Yates in Coweta County, Georgia, located about an hour southwest of Atlanta. Georgia Power recently received delivery of the latest major components – including the turbine and generator – to complete the new Unit 9 combustion turbine (CT). Each new Plant Yates CT includes a state-of-the-art Mitsubishi Power M501JAC simple-cycle gas combustion turbine and a Mitsubishi Electric Power VP-X Series turbine generator. Assembled at Mitsubishi Power's Savannah Machinery Works facility, the units were transported to the site using both rail and truck.

Georgia Power is building three new CTs at Plant Yates that were approved by the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) in the 2023 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) Update and, thanks to the efficient planning and construction timelines available for natural gas generation, are expected to be online by the end of 2027 to meet new energy demand in the state. Components for Unit 8 were delivered in August and the components for Unit 10 are expected to be delivered in early 2026. When all units are in service, the three units will provide 1,300 megawatts (MW) of generation capacity for customers.

The three advanced-class gas turbines at Plant Yates will provide higher output and greater efficiency than previous generations of simple-cycle CT designs, and each turbine weighs nearly 350 tons and is 50 feet long and 18 feet wide. The air-cooled Mitsubishi Power M501JAC Series design provides operational flexibility by eliminating the need for steam cooling, offering a shorter start-up time of approximately 30 minutes and a lower turn down rate. As a contingency in the unlikely event that natural gas is unavailable, the units have built-in flexibility to run on oil, with on-site oil storage capability to provide reliability and resiliency benefits to the electric system. With minor future modifications, the M501JAC is also capable of using a hydrogen mix as a fuel. Blending technology continues to advance as an option across the industry in the pursuit of reduced carbon emissions, and Georgia Power is leading the way in this innovative research, recently partnering with Mitsubishi Power for a 50% hydrogen-blending project at Plant McDonough-Atkinson.

The three Mitsubishi Electric Power VP-X generators are highly efficient, hydrogen cooled units that are rated at 583 megavolt-amperes (MVA) each, representing the total apparent power generated by the unit. These generators have achieved world-leading high efficiency of 99%. Each unit weighs approximately 779,782 pounds.

Plant Yates has long been an important source of generation for Georgia Power. As one of Georgia's oldest generation sites, beginning commercial operation in 1950, Plant Yates was the first Georgia Power plant built to support the post-World War II economic boom. In 2014, five of the seven coal-fired units were decommissioned, with the remaining two converted to natural gas generation. With the expansion of three new units, Plant Yates continues to support the energy needs of Georgia and provide high-quality local jobs for Georgians. Increasing the size of the current plant will provide approximately 600 jobs during the construction process and add 15 permanent new jobs once completed, expanding the plant workforce to 75 full-time positions.

Natural Gas Supports Energy Needs of a Growing Georgia

Natural gas currently provides 40% of Georgia Power's annual energy generation and has long been a bedrock fuel for the company. The company continues to work with the Georgia PSC to ensure it can reliably and economically meet the energy needs of a rapidly growing Georgia through the longstanding IRP process.

Georgia Power is investing in other existing power plants to better serve Georgia. Notably, the company has been approved for combined-cycle and simple-cycle upgrades on all combustion turbines at Plant McIntosh near Savannah in the 2025 IRP. These enhancements will add an additional 268-megawatts of capacity, helping to meet the projected energy demands from existing infrastructure. Read more about Georgia Power's recently approved 2025 IRP. 

Natural gas is also a part of the ongoing all-source RFP certification filing with the PSC. The filing includes the request to certify five new combined cycle (CC) units, totaling 3,692 MW, to be strategically located across the state to help ensure grid stability and reliability and support the state's economic growth in the coming years. The units are proposed to be placed at Plants Bowen, McIntosh and Wansley.

For more information on Mitsubishi Power generation, visit the Mitsubishi Power Americas website.

To learn more about how Georgia Power is meeting the needs of customers through a diverse, balanced energy portfolio, and the IRP process, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com. 

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). 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain information contained in this release is forward-looking information based on current expectations and plans that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information includes, among other things, statements concerning future operation of the new units and expected timing of delivery of components and completion of construction of the new units. Georgia Power cautions that there are certain factors that can cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information that has been provided. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is not a guarantee of future performance and is subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of Georgia Power; accordingly, there can be no assurance that such suggested results will be realized. The following factors, in addition to those discussed in Georgia Power's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2025, June 30, 2025 and September 30, 2025, and subsequent securities filings, could cause actual results to differ materially from management expectations as suggested by such forward-looking information: the ability to control schedule overruns during construction due to challenges which include, but are not limited to, changes in labor costs, availability, and productivity, challenges with the management of contractors or vendors, subcontractor performance, adverse weather conditions, shortages, delays, increased costs, or inconsistent quality of equipment, materials, and labor, contractor or supplier delay, the impacts of inflation and tariffs, delays due to judicial or regulatory action, nonperformance under construction, operating, or other agreements, operational readiness, including specialized operator training and required site safety programs, engineering or design problems or any remediation related thereto, design and other licensing-based compliance matters, challenges with start-up activities, including major equipment failure or system integration, and/or operational performance, challenges related to future pandemic health events, continued public and policymaker support for projects, environmental and geological conditions, delays or increased costs to interconnect facilities to transmission grids, and increased financing costs as a result of changes in interest rates or as a result of project delays; legal proceedings and regulatory approvals and actions related to construction projects; the ability to construct facilities in accordance with the requirements of permits and licenses and to integrate facilities into the Southern Company system upon completion of construction; and catastrophic events such as fires, earthquakes, explosions, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes and other storms, droughts, pandemic health events, political unrest, wars or other similar occurrences. Georgia Power expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information.

www.georgiapower.com

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SOURCE Georgia Power

FAQ

What turbines and generators did Georgia Power install for Unit 9 (SO)?

Unit 9 uses a Mitsubishi Power M501JAC turbine and a Mitsubishi Electric VP-X generator rated at 583 MVA.

When does Georgia Power expect Plant Yates Units 8–10 (SO) to be online?

The three units are expected to be online by the end of 2027.

How much capacity will the new Plant Yates units add to Georgia Power (SO)?

When complete, the three new combustion turbines will provide 1,300 MW of capacity.

What are the job impacts from the Plant Yates expansion by Georgia Power (SO)?

The project is expected to support about 600 construction jobs and add 15 permanent positions.

What operational features do the new M501JAC turbines at Plant Yates (SO) offer?

The air-cooled M501JAC design offers ~30-minute start-up, no steam cooling, and fuel flexibility including oil backup.

What are key risks investors should watch for regarding Plant Yates expansion (SO)?

Investors should monitor construction schedule and cost risks, supply delays, and exposure to natural gas fuel markets.