Cities scramble to secure power amid rising demand

In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the operational challenges faced by cities within Georgia's integrated transmission system regarding energy management. A key point raised was the requirement for cities to maintain a 15% reserve of their energy capacity. For instance, a city with a 100 megawatt capacity can only utilize 85 megawatts, a measure designed to prevent rolling blackouts and ensure system reliability.

The discussion highlighted that one city is currently exceeding its energy usage, reaching over 21 megawatts despite having a 20 megawatt limit. This situation necessitates the signing of participant agreements with other cities that have surplus megawatts. These agreements will allow for the transfer of energy resources to meet demand for the upcoming year, with plans to reassess the situation in the following year.

This proactive approach aims to address immediate energy needs while adhering to regulatory requirements, ensuring that cities can maintain service reliability amidst growing energy demands.