About Oglethorpe Power
Oglethorpe Power is one of the nation’s largest power supply cooperatives with more than $16 billion in assets serving 38 Electric Membership Corporations which, collectively, provide electricity to approximately 4.4 million Georgia residents. A proponent of conscientious energy development and use, Oglethorpe Power balances reliable and affordable energy with environmental responsibility and has an outstanding record of regulatory compliance. Its diverse energy portfolio includes natural gas, nuclear, hydroelectric and coal generating plants with a combined capacity of more than 8,300 megawatts. Oglethorpe Power was established in 1974 and is owned by its 38 Member Systems. Its headquarters are in Tucker, Georgia, an Atlanta suburb. For more information, visit www.opc.com.
RINCON — Oglethorpe Power, one of the nation’s largest power supply cooperatives and one of the largest energy producers in Georgia, hosted Effingham County community leaders Friday for an open house event at the Effingham Energy Facility, a 500-megawatt natural gas-fired power plant.
The facility, acquired by Oglethorpe Power in July 2021, is among the most efficient natural gas-fired generating facilities in the state and marks the company’s fifth acquisition of low-carbon emitting natural gas-fired generation over the last 13 years, totaling approximately 3,000 megawatts of capacity.
Public officials attending the event included Congressman Buddy Carter, Georgia House Majority Leader Jon Burns, state Rep. Bill Hitchens, as well as locally elected officials and leaders from Effingham County.
“I share Oglethorpe Power’s focus on energy reliability and the importance of a diverse generation portfolio,” Carter said. “Now more than ever, it is critically important that companies like Oglethorpe Power provide reliable and economical wholesale electricity for Georgia’s rural electric cooperatives who in turn help rural families and businesses prosper — and the Effingham Energy Facility is helping to deliver on that mission.”
Oglethorpe Power serves 38 consumer-owned, not-for-profit distribution cooperatives across Georgia, including Planters EMC and Excelsior EMC, which provide electric service in Effingham County and surrounding counties.
“Oglethorpe Power’s commitment to affordable and reliable energy is something that Effingham County can be proud of,” Burns said. “We are fortunate in Georgia to have some of the lowest energy costs in the country, and a homegrown facility right here in our backyard helps make that happen for Georgians.”
Oglethorpe Power is committed to a thoughtful approach to reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to a cleaner energy future. Due, in part, to our strategic increase of highly efficient, low carbon-emitting natural gas resources like the Effingham Energy Facility, Oglethorpe Power’s carbon dioxide emissions intensity rate is projected to decline by 56 percent over 2005 levels by the year 2025.
“The Effingham Energy Facility represents an essential baseload asset, helping Oglethorpe Power meet our members’ power supply needs in a reliable, environmentally responsible, affordable and safe manner,” said Oglethorpe Power President and Chief Executive Officer Michael L. Smith. “We appreciate the warm welcome we’ve received in Effingham County, and we’re pleased to partner with local leaders and organizations to invest our time and resources in this community.”
Effingham County Commissioner Jamie DeLoach said Oglethorpe Power has already proven to be an engaged community partner as one of the county’s newest corporate citizens.
“Oglethorpe Power has contributed to our local food bank and is supporting local youth through meaningful mentoring and scholarship programs,” he said. “They are not just conducting their business operations in Effingham County, they are finding ways to make our community stronger.”
