Dresden – Talbot 500 kV Transmission Line

Overview

Your community expects safe, reliable and cost-effective power — and Georgia Transmission continues to invest in critical infrastructure, like the Dresden - Talbot 500 kV Transmission Line to deliver on those expectations.

We continuously monitor and assess the performance and capability of Georgia’s electric system and make system upgrades when it is determined there is insufficient capacity to meet demand.

Significant changes to system power flow patterns are resulting in electric power system limitations. In addition, forecasted system load growth is contributing to the need. Georgia Transmission plans to construct approximately 66 miles of new 500 kV transmission line as part of the solution.

Next Steps

Schedules for the project will vary and are subject to change, but we expect the transmission line to be ready for service by Q4 2031. Major milestones for the new transmission line and associated substations include:

Survey permission requested: Beginning Q2 2024
Public meetings: Q3 2024 - Q2 2025
Surveying: Beginning Q1 2025
Clearing: Beginning Q1 2028
Construction: Q3 2028 - Q4 2031

Public Participation

Public participation is an important part of Georgia Transmission’s siting process for electric transmission projects.

We are holding public meetings in late 2024 and early 2025 in each county the proposed transmission line crosses. This is an opportunity to provide more information to communities and answer specific questions. Affected property owners will be notified of the public meetings by certified mail. The meetings will also be advertised in each county's legal organ and posted here.

Meetings Currently Scheduled:
Harris County - October 2, 2024; 6-8 p.m. (COMPLETED)
Ellerslie Depot
4780 Harris Road
Ellerslie, GA 31807

Troup County - October 3, 2024; 6-8 p.m. (COMPLETED)
Hogansville Public Library
310 Johnson Street
Hogansville, GA 30230

Coweta County - November 12, 2024; 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. (COMPLETED)
Welcome Community Center
1792 Welcome Road
Newnan, GA 30263

Meriwether County - February 21, 2025; 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.
R.D. Hill Multi-Purpose Center (Old Depot)
1224 Terrell Street
Greenville, GA 30222

Talbot County - February 25, 2025; 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.
Talbot County Chamber of Commerce
12 East Madison Street
Talbotton, GA 31827

Maps

Siting Process

Building a new transmission line or substation means becoming a permanent part of your community. That’s why we take our responsibility of being a good neighbor seriously. We not only spend time behind the desk analyzing data; we also put boots on the ground to study environmental, historical and cultural conditions. We gather input from the community to make a thoughtful decision that addresses energy needs while minimizing overall impact.

Here are some factors we consider:
• Existing and proposed land uses
• Community input
• Existing corridors
• Environmental conditions
• Engineering constraints
• Cost

Our transmission line siting methodology co-created with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) has received national attention as a model for improving the way utilities determine where to locate transmission lines. The siting methodology was developed with the input of more than 200 representatives from industry organizations, government agencies, and advocacy and citizens groups in the Southeast. The approach has been adopted by several utilities, has been featured in national trade publications and won a national innovation award from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA).

Who is Georgia Transmission?

Georgia Transmission is a not-for-profit transmission-only electric cooperative owned by 38 of Georgia’s Electric Membership Corporations (EMCs). We plan, build and maintain the high-voltage electrical infrastructure that delivers power to our state's EMCs, providing electricity to more than 4.4 million Georgians.

Together with Georgia Power, Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia (MEAG) and Dalton Utilities, we plan and operate Georgia's electric transmission system through the Integrated Transmission System (ITS), ensuring transmission remains efficient and reliable.

Reliability Projects