WC Georgia News

Georgia has received a significant $250 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to bolster grid resilience and support clean energy projects. The funding, awarded through the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships Program, will enhance Georgia's power infrastructure and ensure affordable and sustainable electricity for rural communities.

The grant was secured by Georgia in collaboration with partners such as Oglethorpe Power and Green Power EMC. The initiative aims to enhance grid flexibility, improve power system resilience, and provide accessible and clean electricity to underserved areas in Georgia.

Projects funded by the grant will include battery storage, microgrids, and grid reliability improvements. These initiatives will not only create jobs but also support the transition to clean energy.

Hunter Hill, the Executive Director of the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA), emphasized the importance of reliable and affordable energy for Georgia's growth and prosperity. He stated, "This public-private partnership will help build a resilient energy future for Georgia."

The Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships Program, overseen by the Department of Energy's Grid Deployment Office, was established through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Its goal is to strengthen grid flexibility, resilience, and ensure accessible, affordable, and clean electricity for American communities.

Oglethorpe Power, Georgia Transmission, and Georgia System Operations collectively serve 38 not-for-profit electric membership corporations in Georgia, delivering electricity to over 4.4 million residents. Green Power EMC supports these EMCs by sourcing renewable energy for their cooperative energy portfolio.

GEFA and its partners submitted a grant proposal outlining various grid projects to enhance resilience and clean energy in rural Georgia. The total investment is estimated to be $507 million, with $250 million coming from the GRIP Program. These initiatives will benefit millions of rural consumers in underserved communities, improving their access to reliable and affordable electricity.

The projects funded by the grant are expected to generate over 140 construction jobs and provide skill training in the clean energy sector. The initiative aims to tap into existing career and technical education pathways to recruit and prepare labor for sustained employment in disadvantaged communities.

The Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA), established in 1985, manages programs for conserving Georgia's energy, land, and water resources. They offer low-interest loans for infrastructure projects and have provided $5.5 billion in loans for over 2,100 projects, covering water, wastewater, solid waste systems, and land conservation initiatives.

Oglethorpe Power President & CEO Mike Smith highlighted the proposed utility-scale batteries in their grant application. These batteries, with a capacity of 25 megawatts each, will enhance grid resiliency and support the increased deployment of intermittent emission-free energy on Georgia's electric grid. This aligns with the state's clean energy transition and rising electricity demands.

With the $250 million grant, Georgia is poised to strengthen its power infrastructure, improve grid resilience, and support clean energy initiatives. The funding will have a significant impact on rural communities, ensuring they have access to affordable and sustainable electricity.