#United States #Georgia Power #Mitsubishi Power #Plant Yates #Coweta County

Georgia Power Receives Advanced Natural Gas Turbine at Plant Yates

Georgia Power, in partnership with Mitsubishi Power, has proudly announced the arrival of its first new natural gas turbine at Plant Yates, located in Coweta County, Georgia. This marks the first addition to the company’s fleet in over a decade and plays a pivotal role in addressing the growing energy demands of the state. The state-of-the-art turbine, weighing almost 350 tons and measuring 50 feet in length and 18 feet wide, has been assembled at Mitsubishi Power's Savannah Machinery Works and will contribute 1,300 megawatts (MW) of generation capacity upon the completion of all three planned units.

Plant Yates has a long history, being one of the first generation sites established by Georgia Power, starting operations in 1950 to meet the energy needs of a post-World War II economy. Over the years, the plant has adapted to changing energy demands, including the conversion of its remaining coal-fired units to natural gas. With these new units, Plant Yates is set to continue its legacy as a reliable energy provider, poised to create around 600 jobs during construction and 15 permanent positions once fully operational, boosting the local job market in Coweta County.

As the demand for energy surges across Georgia, Georgia Power emphasizes its commitment to maintaining a robust and reliable energy supply. The Georgia Public Service Commission has endorsed the addition of these new natural gas units in the 2023 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) Update. Planned to be operational by the end of 2027, these new generation units will strategically enhance the mix of energy sources available to the state's consumers.

"At Georgia Power, our goal is to ensure our customers have dependable and affordable energy at their homes and businesses," stated Rick Anderson, the senior vice president of Georgia Power. "The new gas units exemplify our ongoing mission to diversify our energy generation mix, ensuring we can meet the needs of Georgia both today and long into the future."

The advanced Mitsubishi Power M501JAC gas turbines feature improved output and efficiency compared to older models. Their innovative design allows for rapid start-up times of around 30 minutes and eliminates steam cooling needs, thereby providing greater operational flexibility. Furthermore, these turbines come with contingency plans to run on oil if natural gas supply is interrupted, ensuring that Georgia's electric system remains resilient. There are also plans for future modifications to enable the use of hydrogen blends as part of an effort to reduce carbon emissions, with ongoing research and implementation of this technology already in progress with Mitsubishi Power.

Cheryl Boddiford, senior vice president of North American Manufacturing at Mitsubishi Power, expressed enthusiasm over this development, emphasizing that the delivery of these turbines symbolizes a significant commitment to U.S. manufacturing and skill development in the energy sector. "We are thrilled to support Georgia Power in its efforts to ensure reliable energy for the state with our advanced turbine technology," she stated.

Natural gas has become a cornerstone of Georgia Power's energy generation strategy, currently accounting for 40% of its total annual output. This reliance on natural gas positions the company to adapt swiftly to rising energy demands across Georgia. In addition to new projects at Plant Yates, Georgia Power has received approvals for upgrades at other facilities, including combined cycle and simple cycle upgrades at Plant McIntosh to add further capacity.

The company is also engaged in initiatives to certify new resources through an all-source RFP filing, seeking to strategically position five new combined cycle units throughout the state to foster grid stability and support economic growth.

In conclusion, the delivery of the new natural gas turbine to Plant Yates not only reinforces Georgia Power’s commitment to sustainable energy practices and job creation but also sets the stage for future innovations and advancements in energy technology. As the state continues to grow, Georgia Power remains dedicated to providing its customers with clean, safe, and reliable energy, paving the way for continued progress in the energy landscape.

For more details on Georgia Power’s initiatives and ongoing projects, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com.