Georgia Power has issued a request for proposals (RFP) to develop 500 MW of new battery energy storage projects, with systems required to provide at least two hours of discharge capacity. The projects, which can be built as standalone facilities or paired with renewable energy, are expected to come online before 2032.
The move represents a significant step in the utility’s longer-term strategy to integrate large-scale energy storage into its portfolio. Ascend Analytics, a U.S.-based energy market consultancy, is administering the procurement process on behalf of Georgia Power.
A Rapidly Growing Storage Portfolio
The tender builds on Georgia Power’s broader ambition to deploy more than 1.5 GW of battery energy storage systems (BESS) over the coming years, an expansion approved by the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) as part of the company’s 2022 integrated resource plan (IRP).
In July, Georgia Power requested certification for an additional 9.9 GW of new generation resources, of which 3 GW were allocated to energy storage. That request underscored the scale of growth the utility is facing: over the next six years, it expects electricity demand to rise by 8.2 GW—more than 2.2 GW higher than earlier forecasts.
Toward Longer-Duration Storage
While the current RFP focuses on two-hour discharge systems, Georgia Power is already planning for longer-duration technologies. Starting in 2028, the company expects to procure 3 GW annually of four-hour storage, with an additional pipeline of 12-hour systems beginning in 2033.
Such ambitions mirror a wider trend in the U.S. power sector, where utilities are exploring how to balance short-term grid stability with the need for seasonal and multi-day flexibility. For European observers, this pivot toward long-duration storage is particularly relevant: as intermittent renewables expand, grid operators on both sides of the Atlantic are under pressure to ensure reliability without leaning excessively on fossil fuels.
Solar-Plus-Storage Gains Ground
Georgia Power has also begun shifting its renewable procurement strategy. In its latest IRP, the utility reported that 17% of its solar projects are now being developed as solar-plus-storage, up from a negligible share just a few years ago. For commercial and industrial (C&I) energy storage providers, this opens the door to new opportunities in hybrid project development, where batteries are increasingly seen as essential for firming solar output and improving capacity value.
Market Context and Utility Profile
Georgia Power, which serves around 2.8 million customers across nearly all of Georgia’s 159 counties, still relies heavily on fossil fuels. In 2024, its energy mix included 40% gas and oil, 16% coal, and just 8% renewables. This highlights both the challenge and the potential impact of its storage expansion: with greater battery capacity, renewables can play a larger role without destabilising the grid.
At the end of 2024, the utility had only 65 MW of operational battery storage. Its current trajectory suggests exponential growth, aligning with broader U.S. trends where battery storage is one of the fastest-growing segments of the energy sector.
Implications for Developers and Investors
For developers, the 500 MW RFP represents not only an entry point into Georgia’s storage market but also a signal of long-term investment opportunities. With plans for multi-gigawatt storage additions—ranging from short-duration to 12-hour systems—the state is positioning itself as a proving ground for next-generation battery technologies.
For European stakeholders, particularly those in the C&I ESS and utility-scale markets, Georgia Power’s strategy offers a case study in how integrated resource planning can shape demand for storage. Unlike Texas, where deregulated markets drive investment, Georgia’s regulated framework relies on long-term planning and PSC approval, creating a clearer but more structured investment pathway.
Submission Details
Proposals must be submitted through Ascend Analytics’ Power Procurement platform. Georgia Power has stated that it will not accept submissions or inquiries via phone, email, or postal mail.
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