Georgia Power has commenced construction on 765 megawatts (MW) of new Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) across Georgia, with installations underway in Bibb, Lowndes, Floyd, and Cherokee counties. These projects were approved by the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) as part of the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) process and are designed to provide fast, flexible energy capacity to support grid reliability and customer needs. The new BESS projects build on the company’s first-ever battery storage facility at Mossy Branch near Columbus, which became operational last year.
Battery storage systems are essential for enhancing the resilience and reliability of the power grid, especially when integrated with renewable energy sources like solar. By storing excess energy generated during off-peak hours and dispatching it during periods of high demand—such as cold winter mornings—BESS helps balance the grid and improve the overall efficiency of renewable power generation. These systems are capable of delivering stored energy to the grid for several hours at a time, making them a valuable asset for ensuring a consistent power supply.
Among the new projects, the Robins BESS in Bibb County will provide 128 MW of capacity and is co-located with an existing solar facility near Robins Air Force Base. This setup allows Georgia Power to use existing infrastructure, reducing costs and avoiding lengthy construction timelines. The project is being handled by Burns & McDonnell and is expected to be operational by June 2026. In Lowndes County, the 49.5 MW Moody BESS, located adjacent to Moody Air Force Base, follows a similar approach, using existing infrastructure to expedite deployment. This project is being developed by Crowder Industrial Construction and is slated to begin service in May 2026.
Rick Anderson, senior vice president and senior production officer for Georgia Power, said in a statement, “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. As we expand our diverse energy mix to include more renewable energy, which requires careful advance planning and flexibility to accommodate times when that source is not available, these batteries will be an invaluable part of the electric system.”
In Floyd County, the 57.5 MW Hammond BESS is being built on the site of the decommissioned coal-fired Plant Hammond. By repurposing existing transmission infrastructure, the project offers a cost-effective way to meet future energy needs. It is also being constructed by Crowder Industrial Construction and is expected to be operational by November 2026. The largest of the new projects, the McGrau Ford Phase I and II BESS in Cherokee County, will deliver a combined 530 MW of capacity. Thanks to prior site work and land acquisition, Georgia Power expects to complete this project efficiently using Burns & McDonnell as the contractor, with commercial operation dates targeted for September and October 2026.
Looking ahead, Georgia Power plans to expand its battery storage capacity further. The company is working with the PSC to procure an additional 1,000 MW of battery storage through competitive bidding. A 13 MW demonstration project is also in progress at Fort Stewart near Savannah. In addition, Georgia Power’s 2025 IRP includes expanded programs for customer-sited generation, including enhancements to the Customer Connected Solar Program and a new Solar Plus Storage Pilot. This pilot aims to secure 50 MW of new capacity by enabling residential and small commercial customers to install solar systems paired with energy storage. Through these initiatives, Georgia Power is continuing to modernize the state’s energy infrastructure and support the transition to a more sustainable, resilient power system.
