$950 million in annual savings to be achieved as US’ power firm signs deal with OpenAI

Georgia Power's new contract with OpenAI was filed with the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) in July and includes 3,200 megawatts (MW) of new demand. (Representational image)Weiquan LinAn Atlanta-based company has signed a new contract with OpenAI. With this, Georgia Power will now serve OpenAI’s new project in Effingham County. The latest deal arks the latest step in the company’s proactive strategy to ensure Georgia’s growth benefits the customers it serves. With the projects announced to date and projected future growth in the state, Georgia Power customers are expected to see savings of at least $15 per month beginning in 2029 for the typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month, an increase from the company’s December 2025 commitment of $102 per year to $180 per year. 1,000 MW of flexible demand response “We know every dollar counts, and we know that in many parts of the country growth is pushing electric rates up. That is not happening in Georgia,” said Kim Greene, chairman, president and CEO of Georgia Power. “In December, we committed to $102 a year in savings for the typical family beginning in 2029. Today, that number is expected to be $180. We appreciate the continued diligence of the Commission and its staff in helping us deliver these savings for customers, and ensuring the right protections are in place for the millions of Georgians we are privileged to serve.”The company’s contract with OpenAI was filed with the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) in July and includes 3,200 megawatts (MW) of new demand. Under that agreement, OpenAI will pay the full cost of the infrastructure needed to serve it and has committed up to 1,000 MW of flexible demand response, which enables Georgia Power to reduce energy delivered to the facility during periods of high demand and invest in fewer new generation resources to serve future growth, according to a press release. When the first signs of projected extraordinary growth appeared in the state, Georgia Power began developing a framework with the Georgia PSC designed to turn that projected growth into lower costs and higher reliability for customers. The recent announcement also follows the prior freeze on base rates approved by the Georgia PSC in July 2025, as well as the plan approved in May 2026 to lower overall rates, as per the release. Large-load customers like data centers, manufacturers choosing Georgia The company also highlighted that with new residents moving to the state and large-load customers like data centers and manufacturers choosing Georgia, Georgia Power and the Georgia PSC took early action to put protections for customers in place by introducing new Georgia PSC Rules and Regulations. In addition, the company made a broader commitment to customers in the Georgia Power Customer Protection Pledge which reaffirms the company’s commitment to serving the interests, the communities, and the priorities of its 2.8 million customers.“Data centers are paying more so families and small businesses can pay less, and our goal with every contract we sign under this framework is to deliver value for them,” added Greene. “Our customers depend on us for reliable and affordable energy every day, and that is the focus behind every decision we make.”Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.Prabhat, an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, is a tech and defense journalist. While he enjoys writing on modern weapons and emerging tech, he has also reported on global politics and business. He has been previously associated with well-known media houses, including the International Business Times (Singapore Edition) and ANI.