As the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) reviews Georgia Power’s 2025 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), dozens of stakeholders—from clean energy developers to consumer advocates and local governments—have weighed in with a clear message: Georgia’s energy future must be cleaner, more affordable, and more resilient.

More than 20 parties submitted direct testimony in Docket 56002. The filings reveal broad support for accelerating investment in renewable energy, battery storage, and distributed energy solutions—and significant concerns about Georgia Power’s proposal to add nearly 3 GW of new fossil gas generation. SREA also submitted formal comments in this docket, recommending expanded renewable procurement, improved modeling transparency, and more competitive clean energy deployment pathways.

Push for Expanded Renewables, Grid Access

A consistent theme across the filings was support for scaling up clean energy resources. Organizations called for increased procurement of utility-scale renewables and broader access to distributed generation programs. Several witnesses cited barriers in current program design—including limited net metering capacity, rigid procurement structures, and lengthy interconnection timelines—as factors that have slowed clean energy deployment in Georgia.

Proposals included expanding solar and battery storage pilot programs, launching virtual power plant (VPP) initiatives, and providing more flexible options for local governments, schools, and low- to moderate-income customers to participate in clean energy programs.

Concerns Over New Gas Infrastructure

Georgia Power’s proposal includes nearly 3 GW of new gas-fired generation, primarily at Plant Bowen. That plan drew pushback from several groups, including the Clean Energy Buyers Association (CEBA), Georgia Center for Energy Solutions (GCES), and Georgia Interfaith Power and Light (GIPL).

Testimony submitted by GCES included modeling that showed renewable energy and storage could reliably meet projected demand at a lower cost than new fossil gas, even under high-growth scenarios. Others questioned whether Georgia Power’s gas cost forecasts were outdated or failed to reflect recent volatility in fuel markets.

Equity and Affordability Themes Emerge

Testimony from environmental justice and consumer advocacy groups highlighted affordability concerns, particularly for low-income and energy-burdened households. According to testimony filed by Georgia WAND and Vote Solar, approximately 25% of Georgia Power households—around 620,000—spend more than 6% of their annual income on energy bills..

Recommendations included improving energy efficiency program funding, expanding solar access through community and rooftop models, and embedding equity considerations into future DSM planning.

Transmission, Modeling, and Planning Gaps Identified

Several filings—including from the Commission’s own Public Interest Advocacy Staff—flagged the need for more proactive grid investments and transparent planning. In his testimony, Michael Goggin stated that “the process outlined in [Georgia Power’s] Transmission Planning Description and Process document... is neither proactive nor multi-value transmission planning,” falling short of best practices and failing to meaningfully integrate transmission with long-term generation planning.. Former Arkansas PSC chair Ted Thomas, testifying on behalf of CEBA, recommended joint transmission planning across Southern Company affiliates and improved modeling of customer-driven resources.

Others—including Walmart and the Public Documents Coalition—cited concerns about modeling transparency, stakeholder engagement, and the need for scenario-based planning that accounts for regulatory, fuel price, and technological uncertainty.

What’s Next

The IRP docket, which will guide Georgia Power’s resource planning for the next three years, remains under review by the Commission. Hearings are expected to continue through the summer, with a final decision anticipated later this year.

As clean energy demand grows and federal incentives take hold, stakeholders say the outcome of this IRP will influence how Georgia balances reliability, affordability, and decarbonization in the years ahead.