A Georgia Power Grid Investment Project that’s covered several parts of Gilmer County for much of the last two years may take a few more months to complete, but it’s in the final stages.
The project, in which sections of overhead power lines are being run underground and other improvements are being done to overhead power lines, was previously expected to wrap in December 2022 or early 2023. “We are projected to finish construction in the next few months,” said Marie Bertot, Georgia Power spokesperson. “I can’t give an exact date because things can happen like weather and other factors, but it could be (anywhere) in the next few months.”
Over the past few months, crews have been switching power service previously supplied by overhead lines to the underground lines, while also installing pad mount transformers to accommodate the underground electric service.
“Those are those green boxes they’ve been installing. They’re similar to the transformers you see on power poles. They have a similar function, but it’s not on a power pole anymore. It’s underground,” said Bertot. The grid investments work has also included upgrading and sometimes rebuilding substations, as well as installation of smart technology that helps prevent power outages and helps service to be restored faster when outages do occur.
Bertot said some local Georgia Power customers who were served by underperforming power lines are already seeing around 40 percent better reliability from the underground lines and other recent improvements. Electric reliability stats for the recent deep winter freeze were not available.
“We do (these projects) based on a data-driven approach and historical performance data to ensure we’re putting the right resources in the right places, using technology to move that needle on reliability,” Bertot said. “Placing power lines underground makes the grid more resilient because they’re less vulnerable to storms and wind, but it’s not fault proof. In areas that are prone to flooding, digging, root vegetation and other underground activity, it’s not always an option.”
Three power line circuits are currently being run underground, Bertot said. Crews are doing that type of work in the following areas: from South Main Street to Coosawattee River Resort (Ogden Drive and Newport Drive); from Old Highway 5, North Avenue and Spring Street to Corbin Hill Road and an area that includes McCutchen Street, Depot Street and Highway 52.
Strengthening of power poles and lines continues in parts of Coosawattee River Resort and the Old Highway 5 to Highway 382 area. That type of work may continue for a while after the undergrounding portion of the project is done.
“What we have upcoming for the overhead lines is installing equipment that makes them stronger and more resilient,” said Bertot.
The project, which started in summer 2021, has been focused on improving only Georgia Power infrastructure. It does not include updating any Amicalola Electric infrastructure, Bertot noted.
Crews are also removing the now-unused overhead lines and, when able, removing or reducing power poles as the work nears a finish.
“Sometimes there are other utilities on the pole like phone, cable and internet, so we have to partner with those other agencies if they want to join us in that undergrounding effort. The electric lines run on top of the pole, so sometimes we will cut the pole to the level of where the cable, internet and phone lines run. That is what you will see last,” said Bertot.