Oglethorpe Power broke ground this month on a $3.3 billion, 1,425-megawatt natural gas plant near its existing Smarr Energy Facility to supply the majority of its 38 distribution cooperatives with an additional reliable power source beginning in 2029.
“This project is about planning for the future and supporting our member cooperatives as they meet growing demand across rural and suburban communities in Georgia,” said Annalisa Bloodworth, president and CEO of the Tucker, Georgia-based generation co-op.
The two-unit combined-cycle plant, dubbed Smarr Combined-Cycle, will generate enough electricity to serve 800,000 homes across the territories of 29 Oglethorpe Power member co-ops and create at least 30 permanent, highly skilled local jobs in Monroe County, about an hour south of Atlanta.
“This cutting-edge facility will generate reliable, cost-effective electricity while expanding our investment in Monroe County through jobs, economic development and community partnerships that will have a lasting impact,” Bloodworth said.
This includes a major new source of county revenue through a 4% local sales tax on natural gas used to fuel the power plant’s operations.
Oglethorpe Power also gave $75,000 in proceeds from timber harvested at the site to two community projects—$50,000 to a public walking trail at the Monroe County Recreation Department and $25,000 to equip the Monroe County College & Career Academy’s skilled trades program, supporting pathways to energy industry careers.
Several state and local leaders and industry officials joined Bloodworth at the May 7 groundbreaking and praised the co-op’s efforts.
“Oglethorpe Power has made a positive impact in our community for decades,” said Monroe County Commissioner Eddie Rowland. “They’ve invested not just in our economy, but in our people—supporting our schools, our workforce and our community. This project reflects their continued commitment to our community and the people who call it home.”
“Oglethorpe Power and the EMCs continue to be great partners, and we are happy to have them in our district,” said Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., in a statement to the co-op.
Dan Walsh, NRECA’s senior director of generation research and development, called the new plant “a significant advancement for Oglethorpe Power and its members.”
“With leaders from local, state, federal, and industry partners in attendance, this project reflects a unified commitment to strengthening energy reliability, supporting economic development and investing in Georgia’s long term prosperity,” he said.
Cathy Cash is a staff writer for NRECA.