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Georgia solar projects face local backlash as data centers expand power needs

Data centers are expected to add an additional terawatt of utility scale solar capacity in the next decade, while Georgia Power plans a 10 gigawatt grid expansion by 2030 to accommodate the surge.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Industry

Solar developers are accelerating plans for thousands of acres of new solar farms in Georgia, aiming to benefit from expiring federal tax incentives and meet rising electricity demand linked to the state’s data center boom, according to Bisnow.

Despite solar’s clean energy appeal, some projects are running into local opposition, including at least one lawsuit, as communities question how utility scale solar facilities could affect them.

Bisnow reports that the data center expansion is already reshaping procurement, with solar expected to supply a growing share of power for data centers. TechCrunch, citing energy consulting firm BloombergNEF, projects data centers will drive an additional terawatt of utility scale solar power over the next decade.

Georgia Power has received approval to expand the state’s energy grid by 10 gigawatts by 2030, with renewables making up 6% of generation on its grid, and the utility has also approved 16 solar power purchase agreements earlier this year. The Georgia Department of Community Affairs is reviewing at least four solar projects under its development of regional impact program, including EDF Renewable Energy’s proposed 1,600 acre site in Miller County, and a NextEra Energy Resources project, while NextEra’s $430M Amber Meadow project is expected to contribute about $49.2M to local taxing authorities over the life of the project, according to Bisnow.

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