Oglethorpe Power has reached what it believes is a major milestone in its efforts to supply its 38 member electric co-operatives with more capacity to help meet Georgia’s growing electricity demand. It has selected GE Vernova’s 7HA.03 combined-cycle technology for its new natural gas plant in Monroe County.
As part of the agreement, GE is expected to supply two of its high-efficiency 7HA.03 gas turbines, two H84 hydrogen-cooled generators, two triple-pressure with reheat heat recovery steam generators and two STF-D600 steam turbines with H65 hydrogen-cooled generators. The gas turbines are manufactured in GE’s Greenville, South Carolina facility. In addition, GE is to provide a 20-year long-term service agreement, including all services and parts for the HA gas turbines, steam turbines and associated generators.
“GE Vernova’s advanced combined-cycle technology and services will help make Oglethorpe Power’s new Monroe County facility among the highest-performing, lowest-emitting and most efficient natural gas plants in Georgia,” said Oglethorpe Power president & CEO Annalisa Bloodworth. “Once operational, this facility is expected to generate more than 1400 MW of … energy for our members and the Georgia communities they serve.”
Oglethorpe Power has expanded its generation capacity with eight natural gas-fired acquisitions in Georgia over the last 16 years, totalling more than 3600 MW, and has also significantly invested in emission-free nuclear energy with the completion of the Vogtle expansion project. It also owns and operates more than 800 MW of pumped-storage hydroelectric generation. As a result of its diverse generation portfolio, Oglethorpe Power projects that its carbon emissions intensity rate will decline by 41 % by the end of 2025 compared to 2005 levels, while at the same time anticipating a 68 % increase in the energy it generates for its member co-operatives.
Following a successful permitting process for the Monroe County combined-cycle project, Oglethorpe Power plans to begin work onsite as early as autumn 2025 and break ground shortly thereafter, with commercial operation expected to begin in 2029.
