Introducing Gridovation:
Georgia Transmission’s Landmark Investment in the State’s Energy Future
Georgia Transmission recently launched Gridovation, a landmark investment in upgrading and modernizing Georgia’s energy infrastructure to prepare for the future transmission needs of our member EMCs. This historic investment aims to ensure communities across the state have access to resilient, cost-effective power today, tomorrow and well into the future.
In 2023, Georgia Transmission was honored to be one of the partners awarded the Department of Energy’s Grid Resilience & Innovation Partnership (GRIP) Award. Georgia Transmission’s portion of the grant will provide approximately $150 million towards a $300 million set of projects, which includes 80 miles of new or rebuilt transmission lines and six microgrid applications featuring battery storage. This funding kickstarted our Gridovation investments, which will result in Georgia Transmission doubling its grid assets over the next 10 years.
As Georgia continues to grow rapidly, Gridovation addresses the critical need to expand and enhance the electric grid. Through this work, Georgia Transmission will continue to support Georgia’s evolving energy needs and ensure our grid remains reliable and resilient for our member EMCs.
The Need:
The U.S. Energy Information Administration forecasts peak electricity demand to grow by 38 gigawatts—the equivalent of adding another California to the nation’s grid—through 2028. Georgia’s Integrated Transmission System projects a 15 percent increase in electric load over the next nine years. This projected electric demand increase in our state is driven by economic opportunities and a growing population with increasingly digital lives.
While Georgia Transmission doesn’t drive this growth, we ensure communities are prepared for it. Gridovation addresses these needs by investing in and modernizing Georgia’s grid, ensuring reliable power delivery from new and existing generation sources to EMCs who in turn provide power for nearly 5 million Georgians.
Key Components of Gridovation Include:
- Expansion of Transmission Infrastructure: As our state’s existing infrastructure ages, Gridovation will support the installation of upgraded transmission lines that will serve our EMCs’ communities far into the future. With more efficient energy flow and enhanced planning through our future load growth forecasts, we will improve the stability of our grid. This will help reduce the frequency and impact of power outages, which will in turn mitigate costs associated with disruptions.
- Advanced Technologies: Integration of battery storage, local microgrids and updated grid control systems are a key goal of Gridovation. The implementation of new technology across the grid will enhance power reliability and resilience.
- Substantial Investment: With Georgia Transmission’s $645.9 million capital budget for 2024 and our commitment to doubling our assets over the next decade, Gridovation is set to support Georgia’s position as a leader in economic development and maintain its status as “The Number One State to Do Business.”¹
Gridovation represents a forward-thinking approach to managing Georgia’s energy needs, ensuring we remain prepared for the future while continuing to provide reliable power for our communities. Stay tuned for updates as we make strides in building a stronger, more resilient energy grid.
¹ Area Development: 2023 Top States for Doing Business Meet the Needs of Site Selectors