US-based Georgia Power has commenced construction on a battery energy storage system (BESS) with 260MW capacity in Jefferson County, Georgia, near Wadley.
The facility, which received approval from the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC), is situated next to an existing solar site and close to transmission lines.
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The company owns the new system, which is intended to support grid reliability and accommodate the region’s increasing renewable energy generation.
Local officials, including representatives from the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners and Wadley City Council, attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the project.
According to Georgia Power, the battery installation will supply stored electricity over a four-hour period and is designed to assist with meeting demand during peak times.
By pairing battery storage with solar generation at the site, power produced at times of low demand can be reserved for periods when usage rises.
The Wadley facility is being built by Burns & McDonnell and is scheduled for completion in 2027.
Georgia Power region executive Kerry Bridges said: “With the construction of the 260MW BESS in Jefferson County, we are able to better serve our customers today and support Georgia’s growth.
“As we expand our energy mix to include more renewable sources, these batteries will play an invaluable role in helping ensure reliability and flexibility, particularly when renewable sources are not available.”
The project aligns with priorities laid out in Georgia’s 2025 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), which identified a need for additional capacity through strategic projects such as this one.
In addition to expanding BESS capacity, Georgia Power plans two new solar installations paired with battery systems for a combined 350MW capacity in Laurens and Dougherty counties.
These projects aim to respond to growth in renewable generation requirements while managing land use around high solar exposure areas.
