Georgia Power has officially launched its first large-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), the Mossy Branch facility, marking a significant step towards enhancing the state’s power grid and supporting its transition to renewable energy.
Mossy Branch BESS: A Key Milestone in Georgia’s Energy Transition
Georgia Power has successfully transitioned its Mossy Branch Battery Energy Storage System into commercial operation, becoming the first of its kind to be fully integrated into the state’s grid. Located in Talbot County, Georgia, the 65-megawatt (MW) storage facility is designed to store electricity generated during off-peak times and release it when demand is highest. This flexibility is crucial for maintaining a stable and reliable power supply, especially as Georgia continues to expand its renewable energy capacity.
The facility can store energy for up to four hours, providing a significant boost to the grid’s resilience. During periods when renewable energy generation, such as solar, exceeds demand, the stored energy can be dispatched back into the grid when it’s most needed—such as during cold mornings or extreme weather events. This ability to shift energy usage makes the grid more efficient, reducing the need for fossil-fuel-powered backup and helping to meet growing energy demands with clean, renewable resources.
Enhancing Grid Resilience and Reliability with Battery Storage
Kim Greene, Chairman, President, and CEO of Georgia Power, highlighted the critical role of battery energy storage in maintaining grid stability. She stated, “Battery energy storage is an example of a new technology that will make our grid more reliable and resilient every day, and especially during extreme weather events.” The Mossy Branch facility, which was approved as part of Georgia Power’s 2019 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), is a standalone unit that directly charges from the electric grid, acting as a buffer between the grid and consumer demand.
Energy storage systems like Mossy Branch are integral to the evolving energy landscape, as they allow the state to better integrate intermittent renewable resources like solar and wind, which can fluctuate depending on weather conditions and time of day. By storing excess renewable energy when production is high and demand is low, and releasing it when production is low and demand is high, battery storage systems help ensure that clean energy is always available, improving the overall efficiency of the grid.
Wärtsilä’s Role in Engineering, Construction, and Operations
Georgia Power partnered with Wärtsilä, a global leader in energy solutions, to provide engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services for the Mossy Branch facility. Wärtsilä also supplied its advanced GEMS Digital Energy Platform, an energy management system designed to optimize the operations and ensure secure, reliable energy storage and dispatch. The system utilizes Wärtsilä’s Quantum, a compact, modular energy storage solution that is fully integrated, easy to scale, and designed for optimal performance. The collaboration with Wärtsilä ensures that the facility is equipped with cutting-edge technology to meet the growing demands of Georgia’s energy infrastructure.
Future BESS Projects to Further Strengthen Georgia’s Grid
The Mossy Branch facility is just one part of Georgia Power’s larger strategy to expand battery storage capacity across the state. In addition to Mossy Branch, Georgia Power is developing the McGrau Ford Phase I BESS project, a 265 MW facility located in Cherokee County, expected to be operational by the end of 2026. The company has also announced plans to procure an additional 1,000 MW of BESS capacity in the coming years through competitive bidding processes.
Further expansions include the addition of several other company-owned BESS projects. These include 128 MW near Robins Air Force Base (Bibb County), 49.5 MW adjacent to Moody Air Force Base (Lowndes County), 57.5 MW on the former Plant Hammond site (Floyd County), and a second phase of BESS at McGrau Ford (265 MW). These projects will continue to enhance Georgia’s ability to integrate renewable energy sources into its grid while ensuring reliable, on-demand electricity for consumers.
A Vision for a Sustainable and Resilient Energy Future
As Georgia Power moves forward with its BESS projects, the company is focusing on enhancing the state’s energy resilience and supporting its transition to cleaner energy sources. By investing in battery storage, Georgia Power is helping to build a future-proof grid that can accommodate the growing demands of renewable energy while providing a reliable, cost-effective power supply for Georgia’s residents and businesses.
These efforts contribute to the state’s broader goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing the share of renewables in the energy mix, and ensuring a more sustainable, climate-resilient power grid. With a continued focus on renewable energy integration, energy storage, and advanced grid technologies, Georgia Power is positioning itself as a leader in the clean energy transition.
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