(CUMMING, GA) - Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation (Sawnee EMC) is among 32 electric cooperatives in Georgia that now collectively share in power production from a new 200-megawatt (MW) solar portfolio that includes three utility-scale projects in South Georgia. The total capacity of the three sites is distributed across two counties in the southwestern and southeastern parts of the state and will collectively provide enough low-cost, renewable energy to serve more than 35,000 EMC households. As a clean energy source, its environmental offset is equivalent to more than 350,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually.
The first site, known as Hazlehurst III, was commissioned in December 2019 and is a 40 MW facility located in Jeff Davis County. In August 2020, a second site was commissioned, the 74 MW Terrell Solar Farm, in Terrell County. Most recently, the third and final site in the portfolio was commissioned in December 2020, Snipesville I, an 86 MW facility also located in Jeff Davis County.
All three sites feature single-axis tracking modules that rotate to follow the sun – a technology advancement that produces approximately 20 percent more energy than fixed-tilt installations, allowing participating cooperatives to maximize the energy output.
Green Power EMC, the renewable energy provider owned by 38 Georgia Electric Membership Corporations including Sawnee EMC, is purchasing the full power output of the three solar facilities and providing it to participating electric cooperatives.
A portion of the energy received from the 200 MW portfolio will be available to Sawnee’s member-owners through Sawnee EMC’s Virtual Solar Program; with information available at sawnee.com/virtual-solar.
Michael Goodroe, Sawnee EMC President and CEO stated, “We’re proud to participate in this innovative renewable energy project that helps us offer both clean and affordable power.” He further stated, “Solar power has become a vital part of our diversified energy portfolio used to serve our consumers as efficiently and economically as possible.”
Green Power EMC President Jeff Pratt said that Georgia’s cooperatives are driving renewable energy growth in Georgia and delivering long-term benefits to the communities they serve. “Through collaboration, Georgia’s EMCs have been able to secure lower-cost solar power by taking advantage of economies of scale. And with their communities in mind, those savings are then passed on to their member-owners.”
About Sawnee EMC
Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation, a two-time J.D. Power recipient for best in customer satisfaction, is an electric distribution cooperative headquartered in Cumming, Georgia. Sawnee serves electricity to approximately 187,000 accounts in seven (7) counties of greater north Georgia. Sawnee’s assets exceed $837 million, with energy sales of 4.0 billion kWh and annual revenue of $365 million. With a team of approximately 370 dedicated professionals and over 11,600 miles of distribution line, Sawnee stands ready to meet the needs of its members-owners. SEMC strives daily to live up to their motto…
“At Sawnee EMC, We’re More Than Electricity, We’re Service”.
About Green Power EMC
Green Power EMC is a not-for-profit cooperative founded in 2001 to support EMCs in their search for Georgia’s renewable resources. The primary efforts of Green Power EMC have been to find, screen, analyze, and negotiate power purchase agreements with Georgia-based renewable resource providers. In addition to sourcing renewable energy, Green Power EMC provides education programs that help Member consumers learn both the challenges and opportunities of utilizing renewable energy. For more information about the EMCs’ renewable energy efforts in Georgia, visit greenpoweremc.com or follow Green Power EMC on Twitter or Facebook.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.