GC 2021-Corp-Responsibility-Exe-Summary final - Flipbook - Page 10
Southern Company Coal Fleet Over Time [4]
Spotlight: GHG Emissions Reductions
Southern Company’s net zero strategy considers
both direct and indirect emissions reductions.
Drivers for direct emissions reduction include: reduced
reliance on coal-fired generating assets, use of natural
gas to enable the low-carbon energy transition, further
growth in our portfolio of zero-carbon resources,
enhanced energy efficiency initiatives, negative carbon
solutions and continued investment in research and
development (R&D) of clean energy technologies. While
our net zero goal is focused on direct emissions, we
are also committed to reducing emissions across our
full value chain through engagement, energy efficiency
measures and partnerships with customers, suppliers
and other organizations.
As we transition to net zero, we believe having a
diversified energy portfolio is crucial to reducing
emissions while maintaining reliability and affordability
for our customers. Since 2007, we have significantly
reduced our reliance on coal-fired generation,
meaningfully increased generation from zero-carbon
resources and made strategic decisions around our use
of natural gas.
Southern Company continues to reduce the number
of generating units in our coal fleet, lowering emissions
and retiring uneconomic resources. We have proposed
to have just eight coal units remaining in our generating
fleet with a nameplate capacity of less than 4,500 MWs
by the end of 2028, and we expect to further reduce
our coal fleet in the 2030s, pending regulatory approval.
In July 2022, Georgia Power received approval of
its 2022 Integrated Resource Plan that includes a
transformation of Georgia’s energy resources, growing
renewable resources, investments in reliability and
resilience and diverse, flexible customer programs.
Coal Capacity Megawatts (MW)
Number of Coal Units
(Nameplate)
66
20,457
87%
91%
reduction
in the number
of coal units*
18
2007
2020
Units Remaining
reduction
in coal
capacity*
9,799
8,873
16
2022
4,430
8
6
2028E*
2035E*
2007
2020
2022
MW Remaining
Minority Ownership (2 Units)
2028E*
2,670
2035E*
Minority Ownership (137 MW)
[4] Reflects Effluent Limitations Guidelines (ELG) compliance filings made by Southern Company’s
traditional electric operating companies, as well as the 2021 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) for Mississippi
Power and the 2022 IRP for Georgia Power. Units are expected to be either retired or repowered to burn
natural gas during peak loads. Minority ownership units are subject to compliance decisions made by
majority owners.
*For 2028, regulatory approvals have already been received to reduce the total number of coal generating
units to 10. In its 2022 IRP, Georgia Power requested to retire Plant Bowen Units 1&2 by 2028 and expects
this request to be considered in future regulatory proceedings. In addition, Georgia Power’s planning
assumption includes the retirement of Plant Bowen Units 3&4 by 2035, which would also require
regulatory approval.
Southern Company Renewables Growth [5]
>17,000
MWs
Over 300%
increase in renewable resources
