Georgia's Energy Future Q3 Quarterly Report by Georgia Chamber of Commerce

Georgia’s Energy Future

GEORGIA CHAMBER FOUNDATION

2025 Economic Reports: What to Expect

The Georgia Chamber Foundation is excited to continue to produce tailored insights on issues of the utmost importance to the statewide business community. This year, these reports will align with the Georgia Chamber’s new strategic plan: GEORGIA|2050

The data included in this latest Quarterly Report from the Georgia Chamber Foundation illustrates Georgia’s strengths and opportunities while reinforcing the state’s competitive advantage.

GEORGIA|2050 is intended to ensure Georgia remains a beacon of economic opportunity through 2050 and beyond.

For decades, Georgia has thrived under a foundation of steady, pro-business policies and visionary political leadership. This stability has sent a clear message to companies, both global and local, that Georgia is committed to their success. We have proven ourselves as a state that listens, acts, and partners with businesses to meet their challenges and cultivate a future of shared growth. This reliable environment has drawn quality investment, creating jobs and opportunities for generations to come.

However, as we look to the future, we recognize that this stability may face challenges. Political landscapes evolve, disruptions arise, and new risks emerge.

GEORGIA|2050 is our bold initiative to anticipate risks and equip both current and future leaders with the tools they need to sustain and enhance Georgia’s business climate. This plan offers forward-thinking solutions to mitigate risk and capitalize on opportunities in an increasingly complex and interconnected global economy.

GEORGIA|2050 is a plan with a clear purpose: to continue convening, educating, equipping, and empowering our members, investors, and legislative partners with a foundation and blueprint for long-term economic policymaking. We stand as a united force for prosperity.

Key Insights

Georgia has the second-lowest residential electric rate among the highest GDP-producing states.3

Georgia maintains the largest operating nuclear generation facility in the United States.

Georgia has a diverse portfolio of seven electric generation sources, ranging from coal to hydroelectric.2

Georgia ranks seventh nationally in both net megawatt summer generation capacity and solar generation capacity.5

Georgia’s Energy Economy

Georgia’s energy infrastructure is comprised of a network of utility providers that collaborate to manage power generation and power distribution across the state. This collaboration allows the state’s utility providers to diversify and invest in reliable energy options.

Private Energy Partners

Georgia Power Company is the state’s largest energy producer and maintains shared assets with utility providers across the entire state.

• The largest nuclear plant in the country, and the first to come online in three decades6

• 7 diversified generation sources7

• Nearly 19,000 MW of generating capacity8

MEAG Power is a not-for-profit, statewide generation and transmission organization that provides reliable, wholesale electricity.

• 49 member communities9

• 2,300 MW of generation10

• $12 billion in assets11

• 65% emission-free energy12

Georgia’s Electric Membership Cooperatives (EMCs) are member-owned, not-for-profit utility groups that serve communities across the state.

• Serve 5 million of Georgia’s residents and 73% of the state’s land area13

• Employs 6,000+ workers14

• 198,633 miles of electric power lines15

The cooperative includes 41 electric membership corporations, as well as the three corporations that originated together – Oglethorpe Power Corporation, Georgia Transmission Corporation, and Georgia Systems Operation Corporation.16

Together, they operate as a family of companies, maintaining a diverse portfolio of coal, nuclear, gas, and hydroelectric production, in addition to the planning, building and maintenance of transmission, and the monitoring of electric transmission.

Public Service Commission:

Georgia’s Key to Preserving Reliability and Affordability

The Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) has sole power to determine fair and reasonable rates for services under its jurisdiction, including electric service, natural gas service and telecommunications. The PSC is charged with balancing Georgia citizens’ need for reliable services and reasonable rates with the need for utilities to earn a reasonable return on investment.

The PSC has a proven track record of effectively balancing these interests to the benefit of Georgians and Georgia businesses. Their efforts are integral in promoting investment, job creation, and overall economic development in communities across the state. Recently, commissioners voted to freeze base rates for Georgia Power customers to ensure stability and affordability. It also approved Georgia Power’s Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) which outlines long-term power production plan, accounting for large load customers like data centers. Georgia’s Public Service Commission plays an integral role in supporting economic growth while ensuring affordability for consumers.

Generating Georgia’s Power

The Customer Experience

As a regulated, vertically integrated utility state, Georgia maintains residential electric rates below the national average while providing policy predictability for long-term planning. Additionally, this allows for competitive markets for load generation, but also for all companies to work towards a shared purpose.

Georgia currently has the second lowest residential rates of the 10 highestgrossing states in the United States.17

Affordability and reliability are key in providing Georgia with its competitive advantage.

State Energy Mix

Georgia has the seventh greatest net summer generation capacity in the nation, at 37,700 MW, falling only behind much more populous states like California, Texas, and New York, and outperforming nearly all other Southern neighbors.18 This is an important indicator of the generation potential and reliability, and it lays a strong foundation for the state to continue to thrive and grow. Additionally, Georgia has experienced a significant influx in solar capacity and now ranks seventh nationally (SEIA).19

Georgia’s Generation Facilities

Georgia maintains a diverse energy profile, drawing on a wealth of resources at facilities across the state, including the completion of Units 3 and 4 of Plant Vogtle, the first nuclear facility launched in the United States in nearly three decades. Natural gas generation continues to grow, with Oglethorpe Power announcing more than $2 billion of new investment in natural gas facilities across Georgia.20 Coal continues to play a significant albeit decreasing role in energy generation, continued investment at existing facilities provides upgraded generation to support base load needs.

National Energy Trends

Similar to trends in Georgia, electric generation has diversified by source in the U.S., particularly in the past 20 to 40 years. Generation from natural gas has increased significantly, now surpassing coal generation. Nuclear generation in the country increased greatly through the year 2000, but has largely leveled off, while solar and wind generation surged in 2015.21

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Natural gas generates the most energy in every region of the U.S. except for the West North Central Region, stretch ing from North Dakota and Minnesota to Kansas and Missouri, where coal remains the leader in energy generation.

The Mountain and Pacific Regions are comprised of states west of the Rocky Mountains, maintain the largest share of solar generation.

A much larger portion of energy is generated by nuclear power in Georgia compared to the U.S. due to the completion of Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4, which began commercial operation in 2023 and 2024, respectively. Nuclear power generated from Plant Vogtle plays a tremendous role in Georgia’s highly reliable energy mix. Nuclear power maintains the highest capacity factor of any energy source and is an important factor in maintaining national and international energy security.

Supporting Future Growth

Economic opportunity in Georgia continues to grow, garnering investment from project locations and expansions, and benefiting from increased population and job growth. In fiscal year 2024 alone, investment totaled over $20.3 billion.22 This stems from over 400 business expansions and the creation of over 26,000 jobs (GDEcD).23 With this unprecedented economic growth comes an increased consumer demand for energy and grid investments.

Utility partners regularly update and evaluate current and future energy needs. Updated energy load forecasts for the state of Georgia show a significant growth in the megawatt (MW) load needed over the next 20 years.24

In addition to anticipating higher peak energy demand, the updated estimates prepare for a greater around-the-clock demand due to several large, continuously operating demand sites.25 This reflects a greater need for reliable, base load generation in addition to a diverse profile of flexible generation options. Fortunately, Georgia’s utilities have already been preparing for this growth through their long-term planning efforts, ensuring Georgia is able to capitalize on opportunities.

Growing the Energy Infrastructure Workforce

Another factor in ensuring the state is prepared to support growing energy needs is ensuring a

In Georgia, utilities support over 21,000 jobs, which is above the national average for similar reAbout a third of these jobs are focused on installation, maintenance, and repair of utility infrastructure, and 11% of jobs are focused on production.27 Utility industry employment grew 10% over the last five years and is projected to grow by 5% over the next five years.28

Talent in Energy

Sector

Project Management

Construction

Accounting and Finance

Continuous Improvement Process

Installation, Maintenance & Repair

Office & Administrative Support

Business and Financial Operations

Production

Electrical Engineers and Electricians

Project Management Specialists

Top Unique Job Postings by Industry Sector

Computer Occupations

Software Developers

There are a variety of on-ramps, skills development programs, and upskilling programs available to support existing and future talent in the energy sector. Electrical engineers and electricians are consistently cited as high-demand jobs by industry and maintain one of the highest job posting Project management is consistently listed as an in-demand skill, and project management as an occupation also falls into top postings for occupations.30

Most skills are projected to grow over 20% in the next two years

47% of job postings list a bachelor’s degree as a job requirement

38% of jobs require only a high school or associate’s degree, and no experience

It is important to continue to support investment in talent pipelines and technical training programs, offering on-ramps for occupations of all types and levels.

and Utilities

(March 2024 to March 2025)

Solutions and Investments

To meet the need for a consistently reliable energy network, Georgia’s utility partners are constantly evaluating the growth and reliability of the energy generation and transmission infrastructure.

Current Generation & Transmission Project Investments

‘Gridovation’ through Georgia Transmission will seek to double the company’s grid investments over the next 10 years as a part of funds received through the Grid Resilience & Innovation Partnership (GRIP) award. Read more here.

Georgia Power Company’s Grid Investment Program is a multi-year effort to enhance service and reliability in communities across the state. By installing smart line devices, relocating or strengthening or undergrounding lines, replacing transmission lines, and improving substations, reliability and resiliency will be enhanced. Read more here. New, combined-cycle natural gas plant in Monroe County will be built by Oglethorpe Power, and will contribute 1,200 MW to the grid. Learn more here.

Current Workforce and Talent Investments

Oglethorpe Power Corporation partnered with the Technical College System of Georgia to launch an apprenticeship program that builds a strong talent pipeline for its plant operations. The program combines onsite training at one of the company’s energy facilities with coursework at a local technical college, with tuition covered by Oglethorpe Power. Graduates of the four-year program earn an Industrial Systems Technology diploma and move into full-time plant technician roles.

Georgia Power’s Lineworker Entry Program was established in May 2025 in partnership with BLOC Resources. This six-week program offers individuals throughout the Metro Atlanta area the chance to learn and earn while at the Klondike Training Center in Stonecrest, GA.

While in the program, these contract employees learn about climbing techniques, equipment operation, line installation & maintenance procedures, and risk management to ensure safety. They also receive soft-skills training that includes test prep, mock interview practice, and resume building. Upon completion of the program, these individuals receive priority consideration for full-time employment as an Unassigned Apprentice Lineman (UAL) with Georgia Power.

The program has proven to be extremely popular and sought-after throughout the Metro area, with over 9,000 applications to date.

Oglethorpe Power Corporation’s apprenticeship program in partnership with the Technical College System of Georgia

Proven Paths for Career Success Initiative

The Georgia Chamber of Commerce Foundation is proud to initiate a twoyear grant project to discern top opportunities for Georgians in high-demand career occupations in Georgia, many of which are in the advanced manufacturing and energy industries. Georgia is known as the buckle of the battery belt, becoming a hub for electric vehicles, battery technology, and advanced manufacturing as well as a robust energy sector. To sustain our leading role in these industries, Georgia must ensure the workforce keeps up with the fast-changing economy.

This project will develop and support career pathways for Georgians, with on-ramps for high schoolers, adults already in the workforce, and those individuals in between, to high-demand jobs in some of our fastest growing industries. These jobs will lead to long-term careers with projected high salaries to support career advancement and economic mobility. This effort aims to build upon and make use of more than $15 billion in existing investments, cementing Georgia as a leader in this space.