South Metro Atlanta communities to benefit from new transmission infrastructure projects including Ashley Park-Wansley line

Rhea-AI Summary

Georgia Power (NYSE: SO) announced major transmission upgrades across South Metro Atlanta to improve reliability and meet growing demand. Key projects include the Ashley Park 500/230 kV substation and >10-mile 230 kV lines expected complete in spring 2026, and the new Ashley Park–Wansley 500 kV transmission line, a 35-mile connection from Ashley Park to Plant Wansley with survey work started, clearing and grading beginning Q1 2027, construction in Q3 2027, and completion expected Q2 2028. The work is part of a PSC‑approved 10‑year transmission plan (IRP) that includes >1,000 miles of new transmission to enhance efficiency, resiliency, and support long‑term growth for Georgia's 2.8 million customers.

Positive

• 35-mile Ashley Park–Wansley 500 kV line planned
• >1,000 miles of new transmission in 10-year plan
• Ashley Park 230 kV lines >10 miles due spring 2026

Negative

• Ashley Park–Wansley construction spans through Q2 2028, extending project timeline

Key Figures

Current price $86.28 Pre-news trading level for SO

Ashley Park line length more than 10 miles 230 kV lines from Ashley Park through Fayette County

Ashley Park–Wansley line length 35 miles New 500 kV transmission line connecting Ashley Park Substation to Plant Wansley

Voltage rating 500 kV Ashley Park–Wansley transmission line design

Project completion target Q2 2028 Expected completion of Ashley Park–Wansley 500 kV line

Construction start Q3 2027 Construction phase for Ashley Park–Wansley line

Transmission roadmap length more than 1,000 miles New transmission lines in 10-year plan from 2025 IRP

Customer base 2.8 million customers Georgia Power service footprint across most Georgia counties

Market Reality Check

$86.28 Last Close

Volume Volume 6,945,751 vs 20-day average 5,786,862 (relative volume 1.2x) indicates elevated trading interest ahead of this grid announcement. normal

Technical Shares at $86.28, trading below the $91.73 200-day MA, reflecting a weaker pre-news trend despite positive infrastructure plans.

Peers on Argus

Key regulated electric peers were also down, with DUK -1.12%, NGG -0.66%, AEP -0.28%, D -0.85%, and XEL -0.69%, indicating broader utilities softness rather than a SO-specific move.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 02	Rate stability update	Positive	+0.0%	Alabama Power committed to steady regulated rates while absorbing 2027 costs.
Nov 26	Marketing partnership	Positive	+1.1%	Georgia Power and Atlanta Falcons launched a holiday-themed customer contest.
Nov 10	Community assistance	Positive	-0.7%	40th anniversary of Project SHARE highlighting long-term customer assistance support.
Nov 03	Equity units pricing	Negative	-0.5%	Pricing of $1.75B 2025 Series A Equity Units for debt management and corporate uses.
Nov 03	Equity units offering	Negative	-0.9%	Announcement of 35M equity units offering with additional underwriter option.

Pattern Detected

Recent SO news has mostly seen price reactions align with headline tone, with 4 aligned vs 1 divergent outcome; community and financing items drew modest moves.

Recent Company History

This announcement adds to a series of Georgia Power and Southern Company updates emphasizing customer support, community engagement, and capital structure moves. On Nov 3, Southern priced and launched equity units offerings tied to note repurchases, which saw mildly negative reactions. Georgia Power’s community and promotional initiatives in November, including Project SHARE’s 40th anniversary and the Falcons contest, produced small mixed moves. The new South Metro Atlanta transmission build-out extends this narrative of grid reliability and regional investment within the broader 10-year planning framework.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement details substantial grid expansion, including the Ashley Park–Wansley 35-mile, 500 kV line and a 10‑year roadmap with over 1,000 miles of new transmission to support Georgia’s growth. It reinforces a trajectory of reliability, resiliency, and community-focused planning seen in prior Southern Company and Georgia Power updates. Investors may track execution milestones around the 2027–2028 timeline and how new battery storage and natural gas facilities integrate into the broader resource plan.

Key Terms

smart grid technologies technical

"updated and improved substations, and smart grid technologies."

Smart grid technologies are digital sensors, communications, software and controls added to the electricity system to monitor and manage generation, delivery and consumption in real time. They matter to investors because they can lower operating costs, reduce outages, enable new services (like charging for electric vehicles or selling stored power), and create predictable revenue streams—think of upgrading a neighborhood’s electrical network the way a smartphone upgrades a basic phone, unlocking new capabilities and value.

battery energy storage systems technical

"Plant Wansley near Roopville, where Georgia Power plans to build new battery energy storage systems..."

Large, grid-connected rechargeable battery systems that store electricity for later use, like a giant household battery for cities or power plants. They matter to investors because they help balance supply and demand, enable more renewable energy, reduce outage risk, and create revenue through services such as selling stored power at peak times or participating in grid stability programs, while requiring upfront capital and having performance limits tied to lifespan and degradation.

natural gas generation technical

"plans to build new battery energy storage systems and natural gas generation."

Electricity produced by burning natural gas in power plants or by using gas-driven turbines; think of it like a home stove or car engine scaled up to run generators that feed the electric grid. Investors watch it because it links power company profits and utility bills to natural gas prices, plant operating costs, and environmental rules—so shifts in fuel cost, demand for electricity, or emissions policy can directly affect revenues and valuations.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Investments reflect Georgia Power's ongoing commitment to being here for customers and the state—serving the energy needs of a growing Georgia, while enhancing service and reliability for local communities

ATLANTA, Dec. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power continues to invest in communities across the state by upgrading and enhancing the power grid to improve reliability and resiliency, and meet new demand in the coming years. The company recently announced major transmission infrastructure projects in Coweta, Fayette, Fulton and Heard counties—advancing energy reliability and supporting Georgia's continued growth. Transmission lines carry electricity from generation plants to local distribution networks. These upgrades include the installation of advanced high-voltage transmission lines, updated and improved substations, and smart grid technologies. Together, these improvements will help ensure customers continue to receive safe, reliable energy for decades to come.

"As Georgia has grown, we've been here every step of the way—supporting new businesses and families with the energy they need," said Melvin Roland, senior vice president of Transmission at Georgia Power. "These new transmission lines and infrastructure upgrades will help strengthen the grid, reduce outages, and build a more resilient energy future for our communities. Additionally, the new transmission lines will optimize electricity flow across the grid, improving efficiency and reliability for customers in South Metro Atlanta."

Georgia Power has made significant investments in the power grid across South Metro Atlanta in recent years, including the Ashley Park 500/230 kV substation and 230 kV lines from Ashley Park, which stretch more than 10 miles through Fayette County and are expected to be completed in spring 2026. Now, the company is moving forward with the Ashley Park – Wansley 500 kV line, one of the first new projects under the company's latest 10-year transmission plan. The 35-mile transmission line will connect the Ashley Park Substation north of Fayetteville to Plant Wansley near Roopville, where Georgia Power plans to build new battery energy storage systems and natural gas generation. Survey work has started on the project, with clearing and grading beginning in the first quarter of 2027, followed by construction in the third quarter of 2027, and completion expected in the second quarter of 2028.

Additional information about the Ashley Park – Wansley 500 kV line is available on a dedicated project website here.

Georgia Power's transmission project process is designed to be flexible, transparent and community focused in any community where significant work or enhancements to the power grid are planned. Each project is carefully planned to maximize reliability while minimizing impact on residents and the company regularly hosts community meetings and provides additional updates and information through handouts, maps, letters, and postcards to landowners and nearby businesses.

"We understand that customers may have concerns about infrastructure near their homes, and we're committed to listening and responding with care," added Roland. "Our goal is to minimize disruption and be a trusted partner throughout every phase of these critical projects."

Georgia Power's 10-year Transmission Plan

On July 15, 2025, the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) approved the 2025 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), which outlines the company's strategy to meet customer energy needs and support Georgia's extraordinary growth. The plan includes a 10-year transmission roadmap featuring more than 1,000 miles of new transmission lines. These improvements will enhance system efficiency, strengthen resiliency, and ensure Georgia's energy infrastructure keeps pace with demand.

For more information about the company's transmission line projects, customers can visit georgiapower.com/power.

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 is the timeline for the Ashley Park–Wansley 500 kV line (NYSE: SO)?

Survey work has started; clearing and grading begin Q1 2027; construction in Q3 2027; completion expected Q2 2028.

How long is the Ashley Park–Wansley 500 kV transmission line announced by Georgia Power (SO)?

The planned Ashley Park–Wansley line is 35 miles long.

What parts of South Metro Atlanta will benefit from Georgia Power (SO) transmission upgrades?

Projects target Coweta, Fayette, Fulton and Heard counties, improving local reliability and resiliency.

How does the Ashley Park work fit into Georgia Power's 10‑year plan (SO)?

It is one of the first new projects under a PSC‑approved IRP that includes over 1,000 miles of new transmission.

When will the Ashley Park 230 kV lines through Fayette County be completed (SO)?

The Ashley Park 230 kV lines stretching more than 10 miles are expected to be completed in spring 2026.