Georgia Power has begun construction on a new 200-megawatt (MW) battery energy storage system (BESS) in Twiggs County, located southeast of Macon, Georgia. This project, approved by the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) on September 4, 2025, emerged from the competitive selection process of the 2023 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) Update. The Twiggs BESS, owned by Georgia Power, is being built next to the existing Twiggs County Solar facility.

Designed to deliver stored power over a four-hour period, the 200 MW storage system will enhance grid reliability and strengthen the overall resilience of the state’s energy infrastructure. BESS projects play a crucial role in maximizing the effectiveness of renewable energy sources such as solar by storing surplus power during low-demand periods for use when demand spikes — for instance, on cold winter mornings when solar generation is limited. These systems directly support the energy needs identified in the 2023 IRP Update while providing a cost-effective solution for future grid demands.

Rick Anderson, senior vice president and senior production officer at Georgia Power, emphasized the importance of collaboration in advancing grid reliability: “Working with the Georgia PSC and other partners allows us to make the right investments for a strong and dependable power grid. The 200 MW Twiggs County BESS will help us serve our customers more efficiently and meet Georgia’s growing energy needs. As we increase renewable generation, energy storage will be essential to maintaining flexibility and reliability when those sources aren’t producing.”

Construction of the Twiggs facility, led by Crowder Industrial Construction, LLC, is scheduled for completion in 2027.

Beyond Twiggs County, Georgia Power is developing four additional BESS projects across Bibb, Cherokee, Floyd, and Lowndes counties, totaling 765 MW of capacity and expected to come online in 2026. These initiatives were also part of the 2023 IRP Update.

Future Energy Storage Developments
As part of an All-Source Request for Proposals (RFP), Georgia Power has requested approval from the PSC to add 10 new battery energy storage facilities totaling 3,022.5 MW, along with two advanced solar-plus-storage projects adding another 350 MW. Site selections were based on existing infrastructure opportunities, such as proximity to substations and available company-owned land.

Additionally, the company has issued a call for proposals for another 500 MW of energy storage systems (ESS) with at least a two-hour discharge capability. The RFP—managed by Ascend Analytics as an independent evaluator—will seek:

Georgia Power aims to have these new storage systems operational by 2031, with qualified project bids due in early 2026.

Click here to know more about how Georgia Power is meeting the needs of customers through a diverse, balanced energy portfolio, and the IRP process.

Community Garden Kitchen, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing food insecurity in Collin County, has reached an important milestone in its sustainability efforts with the installation of a 34-kilowatt solar array and a 20 kWh battery storage system. The $118,000 project was made possible through a grant from the Green Mountain Energy Sun Club.

The new solar setup will supply around 65% of the kitchen’s total energy consumption. Meanwhile, the battery backup will ensure continued food production during severe weather or power outages, allowing the organization to stay open when the community needs it most. The resulting energy savings are equivalent to providing more than 9,350 additional meals each year—about 180 extra dinners weekly.

Founded in 2014, Community Garden Kitchen began with a vision to offer a restaurant-style dining experience where every guest is treated with dignity. In 2022, the organization opened its permanent facility in McKinney, where more than 900 volunteers serve dinner from Monday through Thursday. It remains the only Collin County establishment open in the evenings specifically to support individuals and families facing food insecurity. In the past year alone, the kitchen served over 40,000 free meals.

“We are deeply thankful for the $118,000 sustainability grant and our partnership with Green Mountain Energy Sun Club,” said Angela Poen, president of Community Garden Kitchen. “This investment in solar and battery technology helps us continue our mission of providing healthy meals and a welcoming space for our community.”

Andrea Ortega-Toledano, senior director of sustainability at Green Mountain Energy, added, “We’re proud to collaborate with Community Garden Kitchen to both lower their carbon footprint and enhance their ability to deliver nutritious meals to those who need them. Promoting sustainability today ensures we leave a healthier planet for future generations.”

Green Mountain Energy’s broader mission is to inspire positive environmental change through renewable energy. Since its creation in 2002, the Green Mountain Energy Sun Club has contributed over $15 million toward 174 sustainability projects across Texas and the Northeast. Customers and employees alike are invited to support initiatives that champion clean energy, resource conservation, and environmental stewardship.

Adun Fashogbon, Technical Controls Specialist at Cummins’ Power Integration Center in Minnesota, shares her perspective on optimism, growth, and gratitude:

Q: If you could offer your twin one piece of advice, what would it be?
Adun Fashogbon: I’d encourage them to be open to new experiences — try everything at least once. You won’t know what you truly enjoy or what might inspire you unless you give it a shot.

It’s also important to do something each day that brings you happiness. Life is meant to be enjoyed, and those moments of joy are what make it meaningful.

And above all, never underestimate the value of gratitude. It may seem like a small thing, but expressing thankfulness can have a powerful and lasting impact.

Q: How does your team contribute to the future of the industry?
Adun Fashogbon: I’m part of the Power Integration Center, a facility in Fridley, Minnesota, where we focus on testing microgrid systems. Cummins has a century-long legacy in building engines and energy solutions.

As the industry moves toward more sustainable and clean energy, it’s critical to understand how emerging technologies work together. This isn’t just a goal for Cummins — it’s something the entire sector is striving to figure out.

The Power Integration Center is central to that effort. Here, we can evaluate how different components — from solar panels and hydrogen fuel cells to electrolyzers and battery storage — operate as a unified system. That integrated approach is the way forward.

Q: What qualities define an exceptional team?
Adun Fashogbon: I’m lucky to work with a fantastic team, and what really sets us apart is strong leadership. A team’s direction and success depend heavily on having a clear vision and guidance from its leaders. That foundation allows everyone to stay driven and aligned. Collaboration is also essential — it strengthens everything we do.

Q: What excites you most about the future?
Adun Fashogbon: The most exciting part of the future is the unknown — the breakthroughs and ideas that haven’t even entered our imagination yet.

When I think about the innovations that would’ve amazed my ancestors, I can only wonder what advancements lie ahead. I truly believe the best is yet to come.

I hope to be here decades from now to witness the progress. Being part of the journey at Cummins and contributing to that progress makes me proud.

For major energy providers like Southern Company, keeping energy affordable has always been a foundational priority. When energy costs rise beyond reach, it affects customers' quality of life, disrupts business operations, and drives potential economic growth elsewhere.
Customer satisfaction has consistently guided the Atlanta-based company’s direction. While affordability is the starting point, energy must also be reliable, clean, and safe. These key components must work in unison to ensure a strong and dependable energy system that supports economic development and delivers essential services to businesses and households alike.

Southern Company has consistently positioned itself as a provider of long-term value—a strategy that has benefited both the company and its customers for over a century. Achieving this requires not only managing daily operations effectively but also maintaining strong partnerships with regulators. It's about balancing short-term investor expectations with the long-term needs of customers.

“Affordable electricity and natural gas enhance quality of life,” said Chris Womack, Chairman, President, and CEO of Southern Company. “When energy remains within reach financially, it becomes more accessible, helping to fuel economic development, business creation, job growth, and innovation.”

Energy is a fundamental driver of the economy, and Southern Company embraces its responsibility to help stimulate regional and national economic growth. The company continues to invest in advanced technologies and infrastructure to meet evolving energy needs.

Operating under a regulated utility model for more than 100 years, Southern Company has played a key role in advancing public policy and supporting economic activity. Maintaining affordable service while expanding energy capabilities depends on several critical elements:

Recent economic developments within Southern Company’s service areas highlight this role. Leading automobile manufacturers are establishing electric vehicle and battery production facilities across the Southeast. The region is also attracting data centers due to reliable energy support enabled by coordinated efforts between energy providers and policymakers. For example, Alabama Power helped bring an $800 million Meta data center and 100 jobs to Montgomery. Additionally, Mississippi Power is set to deliver 500 megawatts of energy to a new hyperscale data center campus in Meridian, Mississippi.

“The remarkable growth forecast across our service areas presents tremendous opportunities for both the company and our communities,” Womack noted. “We will continue to pursue these opportunities with innovation and collaboration, always keeping customers at the heart of our work.”

To maintain a balance of affordability, reliability, and resilience, a diverse energy generation mix is essential.

“We understand how vital energy is, and we’re committed to working with regulators to ensure customers have the energy they need to flourish,” Womack said. “We must use all available resources responsibly, keeping customer needs in mind from a cost, reliability, sustainability, and resilience perspective as we shape future energy policies.”

With an inclusive energy approach, Southern Company is expanding its energy portfolio. In addition to completing Units 3 and 4 at the Plant Vogtle nuclear facility, the company, alongside Kinder Morgan, is expanding the South System 4 pipeline through Southern Natural Gas (SNG), boosting capacity by roughly 1.2 billion cubic feet per day to meet increasing demand.

Georgia Power also recently launched its first battery storage facility—Mossy Branch Battery Facility—a 65-megawatt grid-connected energy storage system. At the same time, Southern Company continues to work with regulators to expand its renewable energy presence.

Looking to the future, Southern Company’s research and development team collaborates with national labs, government entities, universities, and industry peers to develop cutting-edge energy technologies. These R&D efforts focus on innovations that support clean, reliable, affordable, and safe energy for a rapidly evolving world. Projects include advancing hydrogen technology for transportation and industrial applications and increasing renewable natural gas use.

Affordability is not only essential for economic expansion but also critical for easing the energy cost burden on households, especially those with limited incomes.

Southern Company actively promotes energy efficiency by encouraging customers to adopt smarter energy usage habits. It also partners with nonprofits, community groups, religious organizations, and government programs to assist families facing financial challenges—ensuring equitable access to reliable energy services.

Southern Company remains committed to progress. “There’s always more we can do,” Womack stated.

By staying focused on affordability, while also prioritizing reliability and resilience, Southern Company has sustained success for over a century. Its ever-evolving vision continues to support customers’ financial well-being, serve as a powerful economic catalyst, and foster strong community relationships—both now and into the future.