ATLANTA, Sept. 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Leadership from Georgia Power and the Department of the Navy (DON) joined elected officials, community leaders and other dignitaries at Naval Submarine Base (SUBASE) Kings Bay near St. Marys, Georgia today to mark the start of construction of the company's newest on-base solar facility. The 30 megawatt (MW) AC solar generation facility is the fourth large-scale solar project with the military started by Georgia Power this year, joining three other 30 MW facilities currently under construction at U.S. Army bases Fort Gordon, Fort Stewart and Fort Benning.

"The strong partnership with the Navy illustrated by today's groundbreaking is the result of continued collaboration and energy innovation that sets Georgia apart from other states in solar development," said Paul Bowers, chairman, president and CEO of Georgia Power at the event. "We welcome the opportunity to continue to support the Navy in their mission to secure their installations while adding a new source of solar energy that will help us meet the future energy needs of our customers, both reliably and affordably."

"Innovative energy technologies and collaborative relationships are important for the Department of the Navy. Secure, reliable, resilient and affordable energy is critical for continuous operations," said the Honorable Dennis V. McGinn, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations & Environment.  "Working with an innovator like Georgia Power enables the Department of the Navy to achieve its missions and energy efficiency goals."

Lauren "Bubba" McDonald, Jr., vice-chair of the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC), also delivered remarks at the event noting the PSC's efforts to bring the solar projects to Georgia and encourage solar development in the state while keeping electric rates low for customers.

The SUBASE Kings Bay project is expected to occupy 258 acres on the base and utilize approximately 136,000 ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) panels to deliver energy to the state's electric grid. The facility is expected to come online by the end of 2016 and to be brought online at or below the company's avoided cost, the amount projected it would cost the company to generate comparable energy from other sources. The solar project at SUBASE Kings Bay is estimated to represent a $75 million investment at the installation.   

Georgia Power is also working with the DON to finalize details for a potential fifth solar project at the Marine Corps Logistics Base (MCLB) Albany. In total, Georgia Power's on-base solar projects are expected to add more than 150 MW of solar generation by the end of 2016.

In coordination with the Georgia PSC, Georgia Power is adding renewable energy as part of a diverse generation portfolio and fueling the state's momentum as one of the fastest growing solar markets in the nation. Through multiple solar programs, the company is adding thousands of solar panels to Georgia's energy landscape. To learn more about Georgia Power solar, including resources and services available for homeowners, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com/Solar.

About Georgia Power
Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), one of the nation's largest generators of electricity.  Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company's promise to 2.4 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy at rates below the national average, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, 21st century coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind.  Consistently recognized as a leader in customer service, Georgia Power was recently ranked highest in overall business customer satisfaction among large utilities in the South by J.D. Power and Associates. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower) and Twitter (Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower). 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain information contained in this release is forward-looking information based on current expectations and plans that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information includes, among other things, statements concerning the development, completion of construction and cost of the Kings Bay solar project and other solar projects with the DON. Georgia Power Company cautions that there are certain factors that can cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information that has been provided. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is not a guarantee of future performance and is subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of Georgia Power Company; accordingly, there can be no assurance that such suggested results will be realized. The following factors, in addition to those discussed in Georgia Power Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, and subsequent securities filings, could cause actual results to differ materially from management expectations as suggested by such forward-looking information: the ability to control costs and avoid cost overruns during the development and construction of generating facilities, to construct facilities in accordance with the requirements of permits and licenses, to satisfy any operational and environmental performance standards, including the requirements of tax credits and other incentives, and to integrate facilities into the Southern Company system upon completion of construction; and potential business strategies, including acquisitions or dispositions of assets or businesses, which cannot be assured to be completed or beneficial to Georgia Power Company. Georgia Power Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information.

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SOURCE Georgia Power