ATLANTA, Sept. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Leaders 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, Ga. today to mark the start of operations of a new 30 megawatt (MW) on-base solar facility. The 30 MW alternating current, or 42 MW direct current, solar generation facility is the first completed by Georgia Power in collaboration with the DON and joins a similar 30 MW on-base solar facility recently completed with the U.S. Army at Fort Benning.
Georgia Power is currently developing more than 150 MW of solar generation to serve the state's electric customers through strategic projects with the DON and the U.S. Army. In addition to the facilities now online at SUBASE Kings Bay and Fort Benning, new Georgia Power solar facilities are under construction at Fort Gordon, Fort Stewart and the Marine Corps Logistics Base (MCLB) Albany.
"Within a year, this site on the Georgia coast has been transformed into a state-of-the-art solar facility that will provide energy for our state for years to come," said Norrie McKenzie, vice president of renewable development for Georgia Power. "As we look forward to bringing additional on-base solar facilities on line, we appreciate the Navy's continued partnership and recognition of the importance of this new energy source for our customers, the bases and local communities."
"Innovative energy technologies and collaborative relationships are important for the Department of the Navy," said Commander, Navy Region Southeast, Rear Admiral Mary M. Jackson. "Ensuring our installations have secure, reliable, resilient and affordable energy is critical for continuous operations. Working with an innovator like Georgia Power enables the Department of the Navy to achieve its missions and energy efficiency goals."
The SUBASE Kings Bay solar facility was built and is owned and operated by Georgia Power with energy delivered to state's electric grid 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 occupies 254 acres, utilizes approximately 133,000 ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) panels and is estimated to represent a $75 million investment at the installation.
In coordination with the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC), Georgia Power continues to develop renewable energy as part of a diverse generation portfolio through programs designed to prevent upward pressure on customer rates. Through the company's various solar initiatives, millions of solar panels are being added to Georgia's energy landscape. Most recently, Georgia Power received approval from the Georgia PSC to add up to 1,600 MW of new renewable generation by 2021, as well as new demonstration projects to study wind and solar generation opportunities as part of its 2016 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP).
A leader in renewable development, Georgia Power was recently named to the Smart Electric Power Alliance's (SEPA) annual Top 10 Utility Solar list in recognition of solar connections to the state's electric grid in 2015 and was previously named the 2014 Investor-Owned Utility of the Year by the organization. To learn more about Georgia Power's solar programs, including resources available for residential and business customers considering solar energy, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com/Solar.
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 renewable energy projects. 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, 2015, 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 and 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