FLOYD COUNTY– The Plant Hammond battery storage facility is operating in Floyd County. It gives Georgia Power’s former coal plant site a new role in the region’s power grid.
The City of Rome reported in an Oct. 27 update that the battery facility began operating Oct. 16. It can deliver approximately 57.5 megawatts of electricity for up to four hours.
The facility currently has 68 battery containers, with plans to expand to approximately 250, according to the city.
Storing Power for When Demand Rises
The system charges when electricity costs are lower. Later, it sends that stored energy back to the grid as demand and costs increase.
As a result, the batteries can reduce reliance on more expensive power sources during those periods, according to Rome’s update.
In its construction announcement, Georgia Power says the Hammond project uses existing infrastructure and transmission capacity at the retired plant. That approach also puts an established generation site back to work as the utility adds energy storage.
The company’s Plant Hammond records show the coal plant began commercial operation in 1954 and retired in 2019. Before retirement, its four coal-fired units could produce 800 megawatts.
The battery installation serves a different purpose: it stores previously generated electricity and releases it when needed.
Expansion Projected for 2030
In addition, federal records provide detail about the longer-term expansion.
A July 2025 U.S. Department of Energy project review describes a two-phase system totaling 250 megawatts. The first phase accounts for 57.5 megawatts, while the second would add 192.5 megawatts.
Meanwhile, Georgia Power’s June 2026 SEC filing projects commercial operation for Hammond Phase 2 in the fourth quarter of 2030.
That remains a projected completion window. Rome’s October update does not provide a revised expansion schedule.
The city also says expansion should benefit the local tax base. However, its announcement does not quantify anticipated tax revenue or identify a permanent-job total.
Firefighter Preparation and Battery Safety
Rome reports that local firefighters have received extensive training for a potential emergency at the facility.
The Tesla batteries also use a closed-loop liquid cooling system. According to the city’s account of remarks by Georgia Power manager Kenneth Poole, they carry a 15-year guarantee, with an expected lifespan of approximately 20 years.
In addition, the federal project review describes a private fire main and an external fire alarm system. Plans call for extending an existing water main at the former plant to meet fire-protection needs.
Separately, Georgia Power maintains coal-ash closure and monitoring records for the Hammond property on its environmental compliance website.
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