Project to create jobs, drive local economic growth and deliver reliable power for homes and businesses served by Georgia’s electric cooperatives

Forsyth, GA (May 7, 2026) – Oglethorpe Power broke ground today on a new combined-cycle natural gas energy facility that will help meet the rising energy demands of homes and businesses across Georgia while supporting long-term investment in Monroe County.

Projected to come online in 2029, the Smarr Combined-Cycle energy facility will produce enough electricity to power an estimated 800,000 homes and will be among the highest-performing, lowest-emitting and most efficient natural gas plants in the state, providing reliable, around-the-clock electricity for Georgians.

The $3.3 billion investment in Monroe County, located off Rumble Road near an existing energy facility the company operates, is part of Oglethorpe Power’s mission to generate safe, reliable and affordable power for 38 Georgia Electric Membership Cooperatives (EMCs) that serve nearly five million Georgians.

Approved by Oglethorpe Power’s Members and Board of Directors in 2024, the new Smarr Combined-Cycle will support long-term, system-wide growth across the company’s cooperative membership, serving the everyday needs of existing homes, businesses and industries. Twenty-nine of Oglethorpe Power’s 38 Member cooperatives have subscribed to receive power from the facility.

Oglethorpe Power President and CEO Annalisa Bloodworth was joined in a groundbreaking ceremony today by company leaders and board members, EMC leaders, the Monroe County Development Authority and Board of Commissioners, John Eunice of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, state elected officials—including Georgia House Representative Tangie Herring and Georgia Senator Steven McNeel—along with project partners and other community officials and state leaders.

“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 Bloodworth. “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. We believe growth and goodwill go hand in hand, and we’re proud to continue investing in a place we’ve called home for decades.”

In a statement, Congressman Austin Scott, who represents Georgia’s 8th District, added, “Georgia continues to grow, and to account for our growth, we are advancing fossil fuels with state-of-the-art technology and the ability to bring power to the grid at record speed. Oglethorpe Power and the EMCs continue to be great partners, and we are happy to have them in our district.”

The Smarr Combined-Cycle energy facility will boost the local economy through increased property and sales tax revenue, job creation and long-term community benefits that are part of Oglethorpe Power’s commitment to being a responsible neighbor and strong community partner. A significant source of new county revenue will come from a 4% local sales tax on natural gas used to fuel the facility’s operations.

Oglethorpe Power also announced today that $75,000 in proceeds from timber harvested at the site were donated to two Monroe County community enhancement projects.

– $50,000 to support the development of a public walking trail at the Monroe County Recreation Department that will also support learning activities for Future Farmers of America and 4-H students.

– $25,000 to help purchase industrial equipment for the Monroe County College & Career Academy’s skilled trades program, creating pathways to careers in the energy industry.

“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 has a long-standing presence in Monroe County and continues to invest in the community through partnerships and local initiatives. The company has supported the Middle Georgia Community Food Bank, the REACH Georgia scholarship program, and the county’s all-abilities youth baseball “Field of Dreams.” Oglethorpe Power is an active supporter of the Monroe County College & Career Academy and also donated the land that Monroe County Fire Station #10 was built on.

Also present at the groundbreaking ceremony were leaders from GE Vernova, the company providing the facility’s gas turbine technology and Kiewit subsidiary, TIC – The Industrial Company (TIC), the engineering, procurement and construction partner for the project.

GE Vernova’s US-manufactured combined-cycle technology will support high efficiency and reliable performance at the facility, while Kiewit subsidiary TIC will lead construction with a focus on safety, cost and schedule discipline and community engagement.

The project will employ as many as 1,200 workers during peak construction and approximately 30 full-time employees once operational. TIC plans to begin workforce recruitment in June, with opportunities in high-demand skilled trades, including boilermakers, pipefitters and electricians. Interested candidates can visit ticcraftjobs.com. Full-time opportunities with Oglethorpe Power can be found at opc.com/careers.

Additional information about the Smarr Combined-Cycle energy facility is available at opc.com/newgeneration/monroecounty/.

About Oglethorpe Power

Oglethorpe Power is among the nation’s largest power supply cooperatives and is one of the largest energy producers in Georgia. With more than $17 billion in assets, Oglethorpe Power owns and operates a diverse portfolio of resources to provide reliable, affordable, safe and environmentally responsible energy to 38 consumer-owned, not-for-profit Electric Membership Cooperatives (EMCs) that provide retail electricity to approximately 4.7 million Georgians. Through its investment in nuclear, natural gas, hydro and coal resources, Oglethorpe Power’s generation fleet has a combined capacity of more than 9,300 megawatts. For more information, visit opc.com.

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Contact: Blair Romero
Phone Number: 770-270-7290
Email: blair.romero@opc.com ­­­­