56143

Docket No. 56143 covers Georgia Power Company's first quarterly construction monitoring report for five Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects: Moody, Robins, McGrauford Phase I, McGrauford Phase II, and Hammond. Highlights include:

- The projects are on track to be commercially available between May and November 2026, collectively supporting reliable electricity supply for winter 2026/2027.
- Tesla will supply Megapack 2XL units for all five projects under a purchase and sale agreement.
- Burns & McDonnell is the EPC contractor for Robins and McGrauford phases; Crowder Industrial Construction is the EPC for Moody and Hammond.
- Major construction activities—site prep, grading, foundation, and electrical work—are underway or near completion for most sites.
- All projects remain within certified cost estimates as of March 31, 2025, though some cost details are redacted as trade secrets.
- The company is actively managing risks related to tariffs, schedule adherence, and supply chain issues.
- Safety records are strong, with zero OSHA recordable events at all sites through Q1 2025.
- The docket contains redacted proprietary or trade secret information related to costs, schedules, and project configurations, with disclosure restricted to protect competitive interests 1, 1, 2.

The provided excerpts do not specify individual stakeholders by name or organization, nor do they provide clear indications of which stakeholders support or oppose specific proposals in this docket. The documents primarily describe Georgia Power Company’s activities, agreements, project status, and the confidential handling of information related to the Robins, Moody, Hammond, and McGrau Ford Phase I and II Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) projects. The excerpts also reference the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) as the regulatory body overseeing the docket.

The only explicitly named entities are:
- Georgia Power Company (the utility managing the projects)
- Tesla (supplier of Megapacks)
- Burns & McDonnell and Crowder Industrial Construction, LLC (EPC contractors)
- Georgia Public Service Commission (regulatory authority)

There is no information provided about other stakeholders (such as intervenors, public interest groups, or competing utilities) or about positions for or against any specific proposals in this docket 1, 1, 1.

The primary financial and timeline risks and concerns discussed in this docket for the Georgia Power Company Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects include:

Financial Risks:
- Significant increases in estimated cost impacts due to material increases in expected impacts of tariffs for all sites. These impacts were analyzed by site and country based on the product sourced. The contract terms dictate sharing of tariff impacts with the battery equipment and supply contractor.
- The risk register includes both external (EPC) and internal risk events, updated monthly, and incorporates previous estimate refinements and new risks such as potential Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (AFUDC) impacts of schedule delays and opportunities for AFUDC reforecasting 1, 2, 1.
- Despite these risks, the 2024 transitional cluster study did not impact the expected costs of the BESS project portfolio 2, 2.

Timeline Risks:
- Schedule adherence is highlighted as a key risk, with concerns about contractors’ ability to procure, manufacture, and deliver necessary components on time, as well as the ability to attract and retain sufficient labor to meet construction schedules.
- The 2024 transitional cluster study used standard timelines assuming no prior work, resulting in some facilities being flagged as potentially not able to meet their proposed in-service dates. However, for Hammond and McGrau Ford Phase II projects, design and procurement of long-lead equipment have already started, so their schedules are not expected to be impacted 2, 1, 2.
- Risks are being actively managed, focusing on timely engineering, manufacturing productivity, and integration of contractors and owner’s scope.
- New risks were added to account for possible AFUDC impacts from schedule delays 1, 1.

In summary, the main concerns are rising costs due to tariffs, potential schedule delays due to equipment procurement and labor issues, and possible financing cost increases from delays. These are being tracked and managed through a comprehensive risk register and monthly updates 1, 1.

The areas of growth identified in this docket are primarily related to the deployment of new Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects by Georgia Power, specifically at Moody, Robins, Hammond, and McGrau Ford (Phases I and II). The key areas and considerations are:

BESS Project Development and Deployment
- The docket documents the addition of five BESS projects: Moody (49.5 MW), Robins (128 MW), Hammond (57.5 MW), McGrau Ford Phase I (265 MW), and McGrau Ford Phase II (265 MW) 1, 1, 1.
- These projects are described as critical to providing reliable and economical electricity for customers during the winter of 2026/2027, and form an integral part of Georgia Power’s strategy to diversify its generation portfolio and enhance grid reliability and resilience 1, 1.

Key Considerations:
- Project Scheduling and Delivery: All projects are on track to be commercially available between May and November 2026. Timely procurement, engineering, and construction are highlighted as critical for meeting these schedules 1, 2.
- Risk Management: The docket notes active management of risks, including tariff impacts, schedule adherence, contractor performance, supply chain challenges, and potential for cost increases due to tariffs or delays. The BESS risk register is updated monthly to reflect these risks 1, 1.
- Safety: A “safety-first” culture is emphasized, with zero OSHA recordable events reported across sites through Q1 2025 2, 1, 1.
- Transmission Upgrades: For McGrau Ford Phase II, $14.35 million in transmission improvements was initially identified, but subsequent planning led to changes in project attribution and timelines. There is a focus on careful evaluation of operational adjustments versus infrastructure upgrades to address grid constraints sustainably 1, 1, 2, 1.
- Confidentiality and Competitive Position: Many technical and financial details are protected as trade secrets to prevent competitive harm and ensure favorable procurement for customers 1, 1, 1.

In summary, the docket highlights growth through large-scale BESS deployment, with key considerations including timely project execution, risk and tariff management, maintaining safety standards, strategic transmission planning, and protecting proprietary information.

Key events and submissions in this Georgia Public Service Commission proceeding for the Moody, Robins, McGrau Ford Phase I and II, and Hammond Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects include:

- December 12, 2024: The Commission issued an order adopting the stipulation and granting certification for the Robins, Moody, Hammond, and McGrau Ford Phase I and II BESS projects 1, 2, 1.
- January 31, 2025: Georgia Power released the Phase II Transitional Cluster Study and filed the 2024 Georgia Integrated Transmission System 10-year plan with the 2025 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 1, 2, 1.
- May 15, 2025: Georgia Power provided the 2024 Transitional Cluster Study to Commission staff, as stipulated by the certification order 1, 1, 1.
- March 31, 2025: Construction monitoring report expenditures are reported as of this date, with the company stating it is on track to complete the portfolio within certified in-service cost estimates 1, 2, 1.
- First Quarter 2025: The first quarterly construction monitoring report was filed, covering construction status, safety records, and project milestones up to this point 1, 2.
- Commercial Operation Dates (COD) Scheduled:
- Moody BESS: May 2026
- Robins BESS: June 2026
- McGrau Ford Phase II BESS: September 2026
- McGrau Ford Phase I BESS: October 2026
- Hammond BESS: November 2026
These dates are aligned to ensure the projects are available for reliable service by the winter of 2026/2027 2.

These events reflect the major regulatory submissions, project milestones, and scheduled in-service dates in this proceeding.