Georgia Power Announces 12% Rate Hike—See Exactly When Your Monthly Bill Will Rise

Georgia Power’s three-year rate freeze proposal: what it means for customers, bills, and the 2025 PSC elections A surprise deal unveiled this week would lock in Georgia Power’s base electric rates from 2026 through 2028, canceling the rate case the utility traditionally files every three years. Governor Brian Kemp and Public Service Commission (PSC) leaders hailed the agreement as proof that Georgia’s energy policies keep power bills “stable even in the midst of unprecedented growth.” Why a rate “freeze” doesn’t guarantee lower monthly bills • Base-rate relief vs. pass-through charges: The settlement affects only the base portion of a bill; fuel-cost riders and storm-recovery surcharges can still rise. Consumer advocates note that customers have already absorbed roughly $43 a month in new charges since 2023 to cover hurricanes, excess fuel costs, and the massive Vogtle nuclear expansion. • Storm audits on deck: Georgia Power is auditing 2024’s Hurricane Helene expenses and is expected to seek recovery in 2026, a move that could raise bills despite the freeze period. • Fuel volatility: Natural-gas prices have cooled, yet the PSC adjusts fuel riders annually; spikes could erase savings. Key dates for customers and investors • June 2025: PSC hearings will take expert testimony on the settlement and whether it is in the “public interest.” • July 1, 2025: Commissioners vote on final approval. • June 17 & Nov. 4, 2025: Primaries and general elections for two PSC seats—races that could shift the commission’s stance on future Georgia Power petitions. Data-center boom complicates long-term demand forecasts In its 2025 Integrated Resource Plan, Georgia Power projects it will need 8,200 MW of new capacity within six years, driven largely by hyperscale data centers. Critics warn that if those megawatt-hungry facilities secure discounted rates, residential and small-business customers could end up subsidizing them. Political, environmental, and consumer pushback Clean-energy groups argue the timing of the deal—weeks before early voting—helps incumbent Republican commissioners Tim Echols and Fitz Johnson deflect ire over previous rate hikes. They also say the freeze doesn’t address Georgia Power’s continued reliance on coal and methane plants, which they believe inflates fuel costs and emissions. What to watch next • Whether commissioners add conditions forcing Georgia Power to absorb more storm costs or accelerate renewables. • How data-center contracts are structured in upcoming supply-plan hearings. • Customer bill‐impact analyses due before the July vote. Bottom line If approved, the rate freeze will pause one driver of rising electricity bills, but it won’t shield Georgians from fuel swings, storm recovery, or future surcharges. Keeping an eye on the PSC proceedings—and the 2025 elections—will be critical for anyone trying to forecast where Georgia Power bills are headed over the next three years.