The Georgia Public Utilities Commission on Sept. 17 voted 4 to 1 to approve a plan by Georgia Power to add 77.9 megawatts (MW) of new biomass power capacity to its portfolio via three power purchase agreements (PPAs).
“Georgia Power’s diverse generation mix helps ensure the company has the resources necessary to provide clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy for all customers, 24/7,” said Matthew Kent, Georgia Power spokesman.
The 77.9 MW of capacity includes a 70 MW greenfield project in Jesup, Georgia, under development by Altamaha Green Energy LLC and two smaller-scale expansion projects at mills owned by International Paper. All three projects are currently expected to come online between 2025 and 2029.
The Altamaha Green Energy facility is planned for development at the site of a pulp mill owned by Rayonier Performance Fibers. The 70 MW project will provide power to the grid and steam to the Rayonier facility. The plant would consist of a circulating fluidized bed (CFV) fired boiler system that has been designed to fire woody biomass fuel with a typical moisture content between 25-55%. According to information filed with the PUC, the boiler, air quality control (AQCS), steam turbine generator, heat rejection system, water treatment, material handling, and all other auxiliary systems have been included to provide for a stand-along complete power generation facility.
One of the expansion projects will be developed at International Paper’s Port Wentworth Mill, which is located near Savannah. International Power currently owns and operates two steam turbines and two boilers at the mill. The facility would be upgraded to enable 3.6 MW to be supplied to the grid under the PPA.
The other expansion project will be located at International Paper’s Flint River Mill, which is located roughly 125 miles south of Atlanta. International Paper currently owns and operates a 43.75 MW General Electric steam turbine generator, a 28 MW General Electric steam turbine generator, and two boilers at the facility. Planned modifications to the facility would enable 4.3 MW to be supplied to the grid under the proposed PPA.
All three PPAs are the result of a request for proposals issued by Georgia Power in 2022 seeking up to 140 MW of new biomass power capacity. According to a statement released by Georgia Power, the Georgia PUC proposed and approved an amendment to the 2022 Integrated Resource Plan directing Georgia Power to reissue the Biomass “RFP” to procure up to 140 megawatts of new biomass capacity and energy for Georgia Power customers.
As recognized by the PSC, the benefits of biomass as a renewable resource support Georgia’s forest industry and rural and economic development growth. It is a non-intermittent energy resource with an onsite fuel source and can provide capacity and energy in any hour of the day, Georgia Power added in the statement. The company also confirmed there are no immediate changes to rates for customers.
