Georgia energy leaders discuss data centers and future power demands

The Georgia Chamber of Commerce held its first “State of Energy” event at the Coca-Cola headquarters in downtown Atlanta.

Key speakers at the event included leaders from Kia Georgia, Georgia Power and the Chamber, and more attended the event from the energy sector to discuss how Georgia will fuel its future.

One of the most pressing topics discussed was the rapid expansion of data centers in the state and the impact on energy infrastructure.

Georgia Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Chris Clark argued that the industry is actively adapting to mitigate its environmental impacts and denied, what he called, common misconceptions about the industry.

“In Georgia, those data centers pay their own way,” Clark said. “You and I don’t pick up the tab for those data centers from an energy standpoint. They have to come in, they have to put their dollars down, they have to pay a higher rate, and if something goes wrong in the grid, they go down, our power stays on.”

Either way, Clark said data centers are here to stay.

“They are part of our modern infrastructure,” Clark said. “They’re part of a national security issue, and they’re here because of consumer demand. And so if people don’t like them, then let’s quit storing our photos online and quit connecting to the internet to do everything.”

Further, Clark argued that the tech giants are providing the resources for major utility overhauls in the state. The Chamber represents Georgia business interests, and although Clark said they acknowledge community concerns about data centers, he sees the economic impact of the centers as a positive outcome.