You drive down Dyer Road in Newnan and you see it. It’s been there since 1950, a massive fixture of Coweta County that basically fueled the post-World War II boom in Georgia. But honestly, if you haven’t checked in on Plant Yates Georgia Power lately, the place is barely recognizable from its coal-chugging days.
The site is currently in the middle of a massive identity shift. We aren’t just talking about a fresh coat of paint or some minor upgrades. This is a billion-dollar pivot.
The Natural Gas Resurrection
For a long time, the narrative around Plant Yates was one of decline. In 2015, Georgia Power retired five of its seven units. The remaining two were converted to natural gas, and it felt like the plant was just coasting.
That changed fast.
Right now, as we move through 2026, the site is humming with construction. Georgia Power is adding three brand-new, simple-cycle combustion turbines (CTs). These aren't your grandfather’s generators. We’re talking about state-of-the-art Mitsubishi Power M501JAC turbines.
Just to give you a sense of the scale:
👉 See also: Bank of America Orland Park IL: What Most People Get Wrong About Local Banking
- Each turbine is roughly 50 feet long.
- They weigh about 350 tons apiece.
- When Units 8, 9, and 10 are all online—expected by the end of 2027—they’ll pump out 1,300 megawatts.
That’s enough juice to power hundreds of thousands of homes, or, more accurately in today's economy, a whole lot of data centers.
Why the Sudden Rush for Capacity?
You’ve probably heard about the "unprecedented" energy demand in Georgia. It’s not just a buzzword. Between the explosion of electric vehicle manufacturing and the literal dozens of massive data centers setting up shop in the metro Atlanta area, the grid is feeling the squeeze.
In late 2025, the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) basically gave the green light for a massive expansion. They realized that the previous projections were way off. The state needs more power, and it needs it yesterday.
Plant Yates is the perfect spot for this because the infrastructure is already there. You’ve got the transmission lines. You’ve got the river access. You’ve got the land. It’s much faster to build new units at an existing site like Yates than to start from scratch in a greenfield in the middle of nowhere.
The Hydrogen Factor
Here’s something most people miss. These new turbines aren't just for natural gas. They are designed with a "dual-fuel" capability, meaning they can run on oil if gas supplies get tight during a freak winter storm.
✨ Don't miss: Are There Tariffs on China: What Most People Get Wrong Right Now
But the real "future-proofing" is the hydrogen.
Mitsubishi and Georgia Power have been testing hydrogen-blending at other sites, and these new units at Yates are built to eventually handle a hydrogen mix. It’s a bit of a hedge. If carbon regulations get tighter, the plant doesn't become a stranded asset; it just switches its diet.
What This Means for Your Wallet
If you’re a Georgia Power customer, you’re probably looking at your bill and wondering why it keeps creeping up. It’s a fair question.
The expansion at Plant Yates Georgia Power is part of a $16 billion capital investment plan. Environmental groups like the Southern Environmental Law Center have been pretty vocal about the risks here. Their argument is simple: why are we doubling down on fossil fuels when solar and battery storage are getting cheaper?
The PSC staff actually reached a "stipulated agreement" recently. The goal is to make sure the huge "load" customers—the Googles and Microsofts of the world—pay their fair share so the cost doesn't fall entirely on residential users. Whether that actually happens in practice is something every Georgian should be watching closely.
🔗 Read more: Adani Ports SEZ Share Price: Why the Market is kida Obsessed Right Now
The Environmental Elephant in the Room
You can’t talk about Yates without mentioning the ash ponds. Decades of burning coal left behind a lot of coal combustion residuals (CCR).
The "closure by removal" process is ongoing. They’ve been dewatering the ponds and moving the ash to lined landfills to keep it out of the Chattahoochee River. It’s a slow, dirty, and incredibly expensive process.
Even as the new gas units go up, the ghosts of the coal era are still being cleaned up. It’s a reminder that every energy choice has a 50-year tail.
Key Stats at a Glance
- Location: Newnan, GA (Coweta County).
- New Capacity: 1,300 MW (Units 8, 9, 10).
- Jobs: 600 construction jobs; 15 new permanent roles.
- Startup Speed: The new turbines can go from cold to full power in about 30 minutes.
- Online Date: Unit 8 is nearing completion, with the full trio expected by late 2027.
Actionable Insights for Georgians
If you live in the Newnan area or are just a Georgia Power ratepayer, here is what you should actually do:
- Monitor PSC Dockets: The "Integrated Resource Plan" (IRP) updates happen every few years. This is where the real decisions about your power bill are made.
- Watch the Water: If you use the Chattahoochee for recreation, keep an eye on the EPD's dewatering reports for Plant Yates. They are public and show exactly what’s being discharged.
- Job Seekers: With 15 new permanent high-paying roles and hundreds of contractor spots, keep an eye on Southern Company’s career portal. These aren't just "labor" jobs; they require high-tech turbine maintenance skills.
Plant Yates isn't going anywhere. It’s shifting from the backbone of the industrial age to the battery (or at least the gas-fired engine) of the AI age. It’s a wild transition to watch in real-time.