Georgia Power Needs Bigger Capacity to Meet Data Center Demand

With data centers flooding into Georgia, utility regulators face a major decision: Should they let Georgia Power Co. spend more than $15 billion to increase its electricity capacity by 50% over the next six years to serve the fast-growing network of computer complexes? Or could the utility overbuild—and leave other ratepayers stuck with the bill?

Electricity bills have become a potent political issue in Georgia and nationwide. (Photo: Georgia Power)

It would be one of the biggest build-outs in the U.S. aimed at meeting the insatiable electricity demand from developers of artificial intelligence (AI).

Georgia Power, the largest subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Co., said in testimony filed last month that the expansion would boost the state’s economy and “allow Georgia to contribute to the nation’s focus on the global importance of artificial intelligence and the digital economy,” Jeff Amy reported for the Associated Press (AP).

It would be one of the biggest build-outs in the U.S. aimed at meeting the insatiable electricity demand from developers of artificial intelligence (AI).

Georgia Power, the largest subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Co., said in testimony filed last month that the expansion would boost the state’s economy and “allow Georgia to contribute to the nation’s focus on the global importance of artificial intelligence and the digital economy,” Jeff Amy reported for the Associated Press (AP).

“Given the number of companies interested in doing business in Georgia and the amount of customer load with signed contracts or in advanced discussions, it is important to continue moving forward with support for this great growth opportunity,” company officials said in testimony.

But electricity bills have become a potent political issue in Georgia and nationwide, with grassroots opposition to data centers partly fueled by fears that other customers will subsidize the massive power demands of technology giants.