Georgia Power Co., the Official Power Source of the 1996 Olympic Games, has eagerly accepted the challenges of serving the energy needs of Georgia and keeping track of daily operations to ensure a reliable energy supply for everyone during the 1996 Olympic Games.

In addition to its normal demand for this time of year, the company expects to see an increase in load, attributable to the Olympics, of about 600 megawatts. This incremental energy consumed during the Olympic Games is equivalent to serving the power needs of an additional 288,000 homes during the company’s peak hour or the kilowatt hours needed to serve 50,000 homes for a year.

The utility’s aggressive strategy includes a combination of buying, borrowing and saving to meet the anticipated electrical load. With Georgia Power’s existing power plant reserves, about 350 megawatts are immediately available. That leaves a need for 250 megawatts of additional power, which Georgia Power has contracted for from neighboring utilities. This includes contractual commitments and innovative arrangements with another Southeastern utility to provide its capacity during the Games in exchange for Georgia Power capacity later on.

“Our number one goal is to keep the lights on before, during and after the Games,” said Bill Archer, Georgia Power’s executive vice president of External Affairs. “Customers will continue to receive the same level of reliable electric service they have come to expect from Georgia Power.”

Summer temperatures will have the most significant effect on summertime electric bills. Keeping energy costs low is always a priority. Residential rates will not be affected in any way by the Olympic Games, added Archer.

With no rate increase since 1991, Georgia Power’s residential rates are among the lowest in the nation with an average price of service of 7.6 cents per kilowatt-hour. The company also provides customers access to energy-efficiency measures and a number of flexible billing options.