Regulators in the US state of Georgia have approved plans for Georgia Power to add 2260MW of new renewables capacity and 80MW of battery storage by 2024.
The green light given by the Georgia Public Service Commission will increase the company’s renewables capacity by 72% to 5390MW, representing 22% of the latter’s generation portfolio.
Georgia Power said that the new clean power capacity will be wind, solar or biomass.
It will also move forward with five new hydro power developments at Terrora, Tugalo, Bartletts Ferry, Nacoochee and Oliver.
The approved plans also include retiring five coal-fired units, four at Plant Hammond near Rome, and one at Plant McIntosh near Rincon.
The move will reduce the company’s coal-fired generation capacity to approximately half of what it was in 2005, the company said.
Georgia Power will also not renew its operating licenses for the Estatoah, Langdale and Riverview hydro dams.
Georgia Power senior production officer Allen Reaves said: “Working with the Georgia PSC, we are positioning Georgia as a leader in the Southeast in battery energy storage, which is critical to growing and maximising the value of renewable energy for customers as we increase our renewable generation by 72% by 2024.
“Georgia Power will continue to invest in a diverse energy portfolio including the development of renewable resources in a way that benefits all customers to deliver clean, safe, reliable energy at rates that are well below the national average.”