(This story was updated to add new information.)
Georgia Power plans to tap one of the Savannah area’s industrial stalwarts for enough energy to serve the equivalent of more than 3,000 homes for a decade.
State regulators on Tuesday approved the utility’s request to buy additional electricity generated by the burning of so-called biomass, including from International Paper’s Port Wentworth Mill .
Under the agreement, International Paper will supply Georgia Power with 4.6 megawatts of power for a period of 10 years.
In all, the Georgia Public Service Commission signed off on Georgia Power buying about 80 megawatts of biomass-related energy, including 70 megawatts for 30 years from Altamaha Green Energy LLC at a mill in Wayne County.
International Paper says it generates 70% of power used at its mills by burning “bark and biomass residuals” rather than fossil fuels like natural gas and oil.
The deal with Georgia Power will “allow us to make additional energy with upgrades to existing equipment at the (Port Wentworth) mill,” International Paper spokeswoman Kristie Inman said in an email response to questions.