Georgia Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company has placed its second of the three, 840MW natural gas combined-cycle units into service at Plant McDonough-Atkinson in Georgia, US.
Georgia Power senior vice president of Generation Stan Connally said the new combined-cycle units are the cleanest and most efficient units in Georgia Power’s system.
"I want to recognize the Georgia Public Service Commission for its foresight in approving this state-of-the art technology, which is an increasingly important element in Georgia Power’s diverse energy portfolio," said Connally.
The first unit was placed in service in December 2011 while the third unit which is currently under construction will be operational by November this year.
The three units will be capable of producing in excess of 2,500MW, enough to meet the power needs of approximately 625,000 homes in the region.
Georgia Power has retired the two coal units at the plant on 30 September 2011 and 29 February 2012, respectively.
The new natural gas combined-cycle units are expected to meet its customer’s electricity needs in Metro Atlanta and North Georgia.