765 MW of battery energy storage systems (BESS) is now under construction as announced by Georgia Power. The facilities will be located in Georgia, specifically, in Lowndes, Bibb, Floyd and Cherokee Counties. Furthermore, Georgia Power will develop the projects using the same technology as its first-ever BESS facility at Mossy Branch near Columbus. The company is working with Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) through the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) to procure and develop these projects and construct others across the state a trend seen across other states and globally where BESS construction projects are popping up.
“At Georgia Power, we work with the Georgia PSC and many other stakeholders to make the investments required for a reliable and resilient power grid, integrating new technologies to better serve our customers today and as Georgia grows,” said Rick Anderson, senior vice president and senior production officer for Georgia Power.
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Georgia Power noted that the projects are a direct response to the state’s rapidly growing energy needs, driven by industrial expansion, electric vehicle adoption, and the surge in data center construction. The company also emphasized that large-scale battery systems play a critical role in maintaining grid stability as it adds more clean energy resources to the mix.
Project Overview
Locations: Lowndes, Bibb, Floyd and Cherokee Counties, Georgia
Total Capacity: 765 MW
Projects: Robins BESS (128 MW), Moody BESS (49.5 MW), Hammond BESS (57.5 MW), McGrau Ford Phase 1 and 2 BESS (530 MW)
Construction teams: Burns & McDonnell, Crowder Industrial Construction
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Individual Georgia Power BESS Projects
The first BESS project is the Robins BESS (128 MW) facility. It is located in Bibb County close to the Robins Air Force Base. It allows Georgia Power to leverage existing infrastructure. Thus, it has eliminated the need to construct a new Generator Step-Up (GSU). Burns & McDonnell is heading the engineering and construction team for this project that is expected to begin operations in June 2026.
Secondly, the Moody BESS (49.5 MW) facility is located in Lowndes County. It is also located near an existing solar facility which has allowed for the elimination of the need to construct a GSU. Crowder Industrial Construction is heading engineering and construction for the project. Further, it is expected to begin operations in May next year.
The Hammond BESS (57.5 MW) project is located in Floyd County. It is leveraging existing infrastructure from the retired coal-fired Plant Hammond Facility. Additionally, Crowder Industrial Construction is also heading this project that is expected to begin operation in November next year.
Last but not least, the McGrau Ford Phase 1 and 2 BESS (530 MW) will be located in Cherokee County. It will be headed by Burns and McDonnell. Operations will begin in October and September next year for both phases respectively. The designs for the project provide an opportunity for Georgia Power to cost effectively expand the project level substation and generation tie line rather than build a new substation. In addition to these projects, Georgia Power has also commenced work on a new battery storage facility near Macon.
