Oglethorpe Power’s recent acquisition of Walton County Power marks a significant step in its mission to provide reliable, affordable, and diversified energy to its member cooperatives who serve predominantly rural service territories across Georgia. The purchase of the 465-megawatt, natural gas-fired facility in Monroe, Georgia, using a $80 million Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Electric Infrastructure Loan, will help the cooperative meet its members’ growing energy demands.
This strategic move supports the White House’s January 20 Executive Order Declaring A National Energy Emergency, which calls for accelerated efforts to strengthen domestic energy infrastructure, increase generation capacity, and ensure grid reliability. Oglethorpe Power’s investment directly aligns with the federal directive to enhance energy resilience and affordability, particularly in rural communities.
The acquisition of Walton County Power is part of Oglethorpe Power’s long-term strategy to expand its generation portfolio with diverse resources to meet rising demand and improve the resilience of the electric grid. The plant’s advanced technology allows it to generate electricity with a lower heat rate, resulting in greater fuel efficiency and cost savings for the 4.7 million Georgians served by Oglethorpe Power’s 38 member cooperatives.
“Walton County Power is one of our most efficient peaking plants,” said Oglethorpe Power’s President and CEO Annalisa Bloodworth. “It provides flexible, dispatchable energy during times of high electricity demand, supplementing our baseload plants and ensuring reliability for our members.”
Walton County Power represents the cooperative’s eighth natural gas-fired generation acquisition in Georgia in the last 16 years, totaling more than 3,600 megawatts.
As one of the nation’s largest RUS borrowers, Oglethorpe Power has secured more than $5.6 billion in low-interest loans to fund important capital projects, increasing the reliability and resiliency of its generation assets, as well as the integrity and expansion of the nation's energy infrastructure.
“Through the RUS Loan program, we can finance critical generation projects at low interest rates, and we pay the federal government back with interest,” said Bloodworth. “It’s a mutually beneficial program that keeps electricity affordable and reliable for Georgians served by our member cooperatives, especially those in rural parts of the state.”
The RUS financing also supports Oglethorpe Power’s broader capital improvement initiatives, including dual-fuel enhancements at its Talbot and Washington facilities and new gas turbine rotors at its T.A. Smith plant. These upgrades are part of the cooperative’s commitment to strengthening the reliability and resiliency of its fleet.
Beyond providing affordable and reliable power, the acquisition of Walton County Power brings direct benefits to the local community. Oglethorpe Power’s tax contributions support essential services, including public education, safety, and recreation. Additionally, the cooperative invests in philanthropic efforts that uplift the region.
“In every community where we own a generation asset, we are proud to be an engaged corporate citizen,” said Bloodworth. “We invest in local non-profit organizations and programs that support youth in underserved areas. In Walton County, we’ve supported initiatives like the REACH Georgia scholarship program, the Atlanta Community Food Bank, and Team Up Mentoring.”
In the fall of 2024, Oglethorpe Power took over plant operations at Walton County Power from Cogentrix. With this acquisition, Oglethorpe Power also strengthens its local presence by employing citizens from the local community, providing stable career opportunities and fostering long-term economic stability.
Oglethorpe Power’s acquisition of Walton County Power demonstrates its commitment to rural development, energy reliability, and economic sustainability. By expanding its natural gas portfolio to improve operational efficiency, the cooperative ensures it can meet rising energy demands while keeping costs low for rural Georgians.
“Our investment in Walton County Power is about more than energy—it’s about empowering the communities we serve,” Bloodworth concluded. “Reliable, affordable power is the foundation of rural prosperity, and we’re proud to play a role in building that future.”