Georgia Power is planning for a huge spike in energy demand. Critics say it’s overestimating

Two power plants emitting steam
Plant Bowen, commonly known as Bowen Steam Plant, is a Coal power station, operating, Monday, Dec. 14, 2020, in Euharlee, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart, File)

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Georgia’s largest electric utility is preparing to meet what it says is a huge spike in new electricity demand. Georgia Power says it expects it will need to provide 8,200 more megawatts by 2031 – about four times the energy made by its brand-new nuclear reactors at Plant Vogtle.

A key factor driving Georgia Power’s plans is the enormous growth in need the company says it expects over the next few years from large industrial customers — especially data centers