Georgia Power has begun work on expanding its existing transmission system and building new transmission lines in Brunswick and Kingsland to meet the growing demand for electricity in the area and to continue to provide reliable service to customers.

The project, which involves constructing two miles of new transmission lines and upgrading seven miles of existing lines, will cost approximately $25.5 million. Work began in January and is expected to be completed by the summer of 2004.

“Continued growth in the area and the increasing energy needs of our customers have made it important for us to keep pace by expanding our electricity infrastructure,” said Tony Sammons, assistant to Georgia Power’s southeast region manager.

“By undertaking this important project, we are preparing for the future and ensuring that our customers continue to receive reliable, cost-effective electricity for many years to come.”

The project involves constructing four new 230-kilovolt transmission lines from west Brunswick to Thalmann and upgrading existing Georgia Power substations and 230 kV lines to ensure customers in the region continue to receive reliable electric service.

All property owners who will be impacted by the work have been notified and provided details about the project.

Georgia Power will make every effort to minimize disruptions to property owners along the route and asks local residents to please be patient and use extra caution in the area.

Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company, one of the nation’s largest generators of electricity. The company is an investor-owned, tax-paying utility serving customers in 57,000 of the state’s 59,000 square miles. Georgia Power’s rates are more than 15 percent below the national average and its 2 million customers are in all but six of Georgia’s 159 counties.