Feb 11 2008
Georgia Power recently added another company to its growing list of independent renewable energy producers that have committed to a long-term contract from a renewable generation source.
Georgia Power and Greenway Renewable Power LLC, an affiliate of Rollcast Energy Inc., penned a 15-year deal for electricity that will be generated from environmentally-friendly wood waste. The power will come from a biomass- fueled facility to be located near Franklin in Heard County. The material used to make electricity will come from timber harvesting residuals and collection of non-commercial tree species, tree-thinnings, lumber scraps and wood waste reclaimed from landfills.
The Greenway facility is scheduled to go into operation in 2010 and will produce 50 megawatts of renewable energy. Under the contract, Georgia Power will purchase 100 percent of the plant's capacity. One megawatt is enough energy to supply a Wal-Mart store or approximately 250 Georgia residences.
"It's important that we continue to look for ways to expand the diversity of our generation mix by providing our customers with a cleaner form of energy with lower emissions," said Jeff Burleson, director of Resource Policy and Planning. "Wood waste is both plentiful and readily available in Georgia so it's a logical renewable energy choice for us."
With the addition of this contract, Georgia Power's energy portfolio includes contracts with six qualified biomass and renewable facilities throughout the state that generate 130 megawatts, or enough renewable energy to power more than 32,000 homes. These contracts include electricity generated from wood waste, landfill methane gas and hydro. Georgia Power also buys energy from eight other renewable sources when available.
"We consider Georgia Power one of the leading utilities in renewable energy," said Penn Cox, President of Rollcast Energy. "We're excited to be working with them on a project that benefits homeowners and businesses, protects the environment and boosts the local economy."
Rollcast Energy develops, owns and operates clean renewable power plants that use wood or biomass for fuel. The company seeks to provide customers with low-cost, environmentally benign electricity that reduces the nation's dependence on imported energy and provides sustainable jobs in local communities. This mission is accomplished through Rollcast's team of experts in independent power, its current pipeline of projects in development, and its relationship with customers.
Georgia Power is working to increase its renewable energy portfolio both through the purchase of energy from renewable generators and through investments in self-owned renewable generation. Additionally, Georgia Power will invest $43 million annually in 18 different demand response and energy efficiency programs, including six new programs recently approved by the Georgia Public Service Commission. These programs are expected to reduce electricity demand by 1,000 megawatts by 2010.
Over the past two years, through promotion of the Change a Light campaign, Georgia Power has distributed more than 200,000 compact fluorescent light bulbs to consumers across Georgia who have pledged to change at least one standard light bulb in their home to a compact fluorescent bulb. As a leader in the nation for ENERGY STAR Change a Light pledges, Georgia Power received the 2007 Excellence in ENERGY STAR Promotion Award.
Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company, one of the nation's largest generators of electricity. The company is an investor-owned, tax-paying utility with rates well below the national average. Georgia Power serves 2.3 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties.