Georgia Public Service Commission Vice-Chairman Lauren “Bubba” McDonald and Public Service Commissioner Doug Everett took part today in the groundbreaking ceremony for Georgia Power’s solar project at King’s Bay Naval Submarine Base near St. Mary’s on the southeast Georgia coast. Commissioner McDonald opened the ceremony with a rousing rendition of the National Anthem. Among the more than 100 attendees were Department of the Navy officials, local Navy commanders and representatives of local government and business organizations.

Commissioner McDonald in remarks to the attendees noted that today’s groundbreaking was due to a team effort between the Georgia Public Service Commission, the Georgia Power Company and the U.S. Navy. “At the end of next year, we will have close to one thousand megawatts of solar power in this state,” said Commissioner McDonald. He noted the progress in solar development in Georgia has taken place without mandates and without an increase in rates. “We continue to make sure our people have electrons when you flip the switch, have the ability to pay for it and have the reliability to be clean and there for a very long time,” McDonald added.

Others speakers were Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations and Environment Dennis V. McGinn; Paul Bowers, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Georgia Power Company; and  Navy Captain James W. Jenks, Commanding Officer, King’s Bay Naval Submarine Base.

“This project again demonstrates that renewable energy can be cost effective with no upward pressure on rates while generating clean carbon free energy. This partnership between the Navy and Georgia Power will also contribute to national security and help the Navy meet its renewable energy goals,” said Commissioner Everett.

"Helping our military meet their energy goals helps the whole state, and quite possibly avoids base closures," said Commissioner Tim Echols. "This is yet another way Georgia is leading the nation."

The Commission on December 16, 2014 approved the Memorandum of Understanding between Georgia Power and the U.S. Navy to initiate this project which is scheduled to come on-line in 2016. The project is based upon capacity from the 2014 cancellation of the Plant Mitchell in Albany, Georgia conversion to biomass.

The Department of the Navy and Georgia Power will develop this large scale solar project of approximately 258 acres on the King’s Bay Naval Submarine Base. Georgia Power will build, own, operate and maintain the 42 megawatt direct current or 30 megawatt alternating current solar farm that will produce power for its customers, including King’s Bay. The scheduled completion date is at the end of 2016.  This project is part of the Navy’s one gigawatt initiative of renewable energy into procurement by the end of 2015.

The Navy project will join three projects on three Georgia U.S. Army bases that stem from a 2007 decision by the Commission which authorized the Company to build three 30 MW renewable projects provided that the cost of the projects is equal to or less than the Company’s avoided costs, meaning no upward pressure on rates. These projects will contribute towards the Department of Defense mandates regarding renewable energy and energy security and represent a significant investment in Georgia Army bases.