Georgia Power's 30-MW solar facility at Fort Benning now online

First of five military solar projects generating energy to serve Georgia customers

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Jun 01, 2016, 02:38 ET

ATLANTA, June 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power, the U.S. Army, the Army Office of Energy Initiatives (OEI), the General Services Administration and the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) today marked the start of operations of a new 30 megawatt (MW) solar project at Fort Benning, near Columbus, Georgia. The facility is the first of five on-base military solar projects currently being developed by Georgia Power in coordination with the Army and the Department of the Navy (DON).

Norrie McKenzie, vice president of renewable development for Georgia Power discussing the importance of the solar project to Georgia Power customers at the event.

The 200-plus acre Fort Benning solar site uses nearly 134,000 photovoltaic panels to produce energy for Georgia homes and businesses.

Officials from Georgia Power, the U.S. Army, the Army Office of Energy Initiatives (OEI), the General Services Administration and the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) mark the start of operations of the 30 megawatt solar project at Fort Benning.

Aerial view of the 30 megawatt solar project at Fort Benning. Photo courtesy of the US Army

"Since we first broke ground a year ago, this site has been transformed into a state-of-the-art solar facility that will deliver clean, reliable and affordable energy to our customers for years to come," said Norrie McKenzie, vice president of renewable development for Georgia Power at the event. "We look forward to seeing the rest of our military solar projects come online within the next year, and the positive benefits they will bring not only for our customers, but for the bases and local communities."

Other speakers at the event included Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.; the Honorable Katherine G. Hammack (Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy & Environment); Michael F. McGhee, (Executive Director, Army OEI); Brigadier General Eric J. Wesley, (Army Maneuver Center of Excellence); and Commissioner Stan Wise (Georgia PSC).

Speaking on behalf of the elected members of the Georgia PSC, Commissioner Wise noted the Commission's efforts to bring viable solar projects to Georgia and to encourage solar development while keeping electric rates low for customers. Speakers also noted the importance of the project to Georgia, as well as the extensive collaboration needed between the utility, the Georgia PSC and the Army to complete the project.

Georgia Power built, owns and operates the facility with power delivered to the 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 Fort Benning is estimated to represent a $75 million investment at the installation and will enable the Army to meet critical energy and security goals. The 200-plus acre Fort Benning solar site uses nearly 134,000 photovoltaic panels to produce energy for Georgia homes and businesses.

In addition to this project, Georgia Power continues to add solar to its generation portfolio through programs designed to prevent upward pressure on customer rates. In coordination with the Georgia PSC, thousands of new solar panels are being installed across Georgia as part of the Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany and Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay projects with the DON; at Forts Benning, Gordon and Stewart with the Army; and through the competitive Advanced Solar Initiative (ASI). Most recently, Georgia Power proposed 525 MW of new renewable generation by 2019 and new demonstration projects to study wind and solar generation opportunities as part of its 2016 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), currently under review by the Georgia PSC.

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.

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 2.5 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. Georgia Power focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and the company is consistently recognized by J.D. Power and Associates as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. 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 solar 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