Georgia Power Strengthens Grid Resilience After Hurricane Helene's Impact
Georgia Power Strengthens Grid Resilience After Hurricane Helene's Impact
In October 2025, Georgia Power reflected on the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, a storm that wreaked havoc on its electrical infrastructure and affected thousands of customers. The company, which undertook its largest restoration initiative to date, restored power to 95% of the affected customers within eight days following the storm — a feat made possible by the dedication of over 20,000 personnel mobilized for immediate response. The hardest-hit regions, including Valdosta, Augusta, and Savannah, required a multi-faceted approach that involved helicopters, boats, and drones to reach some of the most damaged areas.
To bolster its defenses against future storms, Georgia Power has invested more than $10 billion over the past decade into upgrading smart grid technologies and enhancing the overall resilience of its infrastructure. These improvements have yielded significant results in reducing both the frequency and duration of outages, benefiting customers during extreme weather events. During Hurricane Helene, the advanced systems in place mitigated substantial power outages by swiftly rerouting electricity away from damaged sections of the grid, thereby preventing disruption for many customers in less-affected regions such as Metro Atlanta and North Georgia.
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, Georgia Power didn’t just revert to pre-storm conditions; it took an opportunity to upgrade several sections of the grid with smarter technologies and stronger components. Enhancements included upgrading power lines, poles, and transformers designed to withstand the rigors of severe weather. Among the most significant improvements is the integration of self-healing grid technologies that feature automatic fault detection and cloud-controlled switches. These innovations not only ensure quicker restoration times but also increase reliability and energy efficiency for Georgia Power's entire customer base.
Josh Stallings, the vice president of strategy and support for Georgia Power, emphasized the company’s commitment to providing reliable energy to Georgia families and businesses. He stated, "We are constantly planning for future enhancements and aligning our investments to heighten grid resilience and deliver optimal value to our customers. Following Hurricane Helene, we recognized the chance to upgrade extensive sections of the affected grid while we rebuilt, making them stronger and more resilient for the future. Our commitment to the communities we serve remains steadfast."
Here are some examples of how Georgia Power has improved infrastructure in regions impacted by Hurricane Helene:
Coastal Georgia: Many basic insulation level (BIL) and sectionalizing projects have been completed, benefiting over 10,000 customers. The BIL improvements harden poles and hardware, while sectionalizing projects install reclosing devices that minimize the impact of outages by enhancing segmentation.
East Georgia: The Augusta area underwent numerous sectionalizing improvements, with over 90 automated devices added to enhance the self-healing capabilities of the grid. This technology isolates outages to limit impact and allows for quick restoration of power across several areas simultaneously.
* South Georgia: Crews have upgraded circuits in Hahira and East Valdosta, utilizing larger wire and more durable materials to minimize outage risks. A number of substations across several towns are also receiving critical upgrades to improve reliability and response time in the event of future storms.
This comprehensive and proactive response following Hurricane Helene showcases Georgia Power's dedication to maintaining reliable energy services in Georgia. For more detailed information about their extensive restoration efforts, visit Georgia Power's Hurricane Helene restoration report.
About Georgia Power
Georgia Power is the leading electric utility subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), serving approximately 2.8 million customers across nearly all of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to sustainability, reliability, and innovation, the company offers a diverse energy mix, including nuclear, coal, natural gas, and renewable sources like solar and wind. Ranked as an industry leader in customer satisfaction by J.D. Power, Georgia Power continually strives to enhance the quality and reliability of service it provides its customers. Connect with Georgia Power on various social media platforms for more updates.
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