Georgia Power it received authorization to add 1.14 GW of new solar power capacity through agreements linked to seven projects that will begin commercial operations starting in 2029. The facilities will be distributed across different counties in Georgia and will be part of the company’s strategy to expand its renewable generation portfolio, meet the electricity needs of its customers, and add resources with long-term fixed prices under the CARES programs.
Georgia Power expands its solar power capacity
The Public Utilities Commission of Georgia (PSC) authorized Georgia Power to formalize power purchase agreements that will add approximately 1.14 GW of new solar capacity to its generation portfolio, the contracts were awarded through the CARES 2023 and CARES 2025 requests for proposals. With these additions, the company seeks to expand the availability of renewable resources to meet the electricity demand of its customers in Georgia.
Georgia Power highlighted that the contract awarded under the 2023 CARES Act represents the company’s largest single solar energy acquisition to date, the seven projects will be located in Appling, Decatur, Emanuel, Irwin, Jefferson, Sumter, and Warren counties. According to the projected schedule, the facilities will begin commercial operation in 2029.
The CARES program is driving new solar projects
The CARES program was jointly developed by Georgia Power and the Georgia PSC as a mechanism to expand access to renewable energy generation. Its structure allows eligible customers to acquire a stake tied to the production of energy from these resources. Wilson Mallard, Georgia Power’s director of renewable energy development, explained that the new projects will provide electricity at a fixed price and will become part of the company’s generation portfolio.
According to Mallard, the authorization incorporates more than 1,100 MW of renewable resources, the company expects this capacity to contribute to providing affordable and reliable energy to its customers for years to come. This decision builds on solar contracting that had already received regulatory approval. In September 2025, the PSC approved 1.07 GW of solar projects under the CARES 2023 program, with planned installations in Coffee, Jefferson, Laurens, Mitchell, and Wilkinson counties.
CARES CIR opens another avenue to expand renewable generation
Georgia Power it is also expanding its renewable energy strategy through competitive bidding processes and programs that allow for more direct customer participation, among these initiatives is CARES Customer Identified Resource (CARES CIR), a scheme with a potential authorized capacity of up to 3 GW.
The program allows eligible commercial and industrial customers to identify renewable energy projects for consideration under the CARES Act subscription program. The structure includes projects and participation levels of varying scales to meet diverse consumption needs. This solar expansion coincides with increased electricity demand in Georgia. The PSC also recently approved a company agreement to supply electricity for OpenAI’s planned project in Effingham County.
With the seven newly authorized projects, Georgia Power continues to expand a renewable portfolio based on competitive contracts, subscription programs, and projects proposed by commercial and industrial customers.
Source: Brixen
Photo: Shutterstock
