ATLANTA, Feb. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- 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.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050216/CLW066LOGO )
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.
SOURCE Georgia Power
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Related links:
http://www.georgiapower.com
Photo Notes:http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050216/CLW066LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
CONTACT:
Lynn Wallace, Georgia Power, +1-404-506-7676,
+1-800-282-1696, corpcomm@georgiapower.com
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