(CUMMING, GA) – On May 11th, Sawnee EMC participated in a dedication event to “flip the switch” on the new 68-megawatt (MWAC) Houston Solar Project that provides enough clean renewable energy for over 11,000 homes. This project is located in Houston County, GA and Sawnee EMC is among thirty Georgia Electric Cooperatives that will utilize the site’s power generation.
State and local elected officials, including Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan, Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black, and members of the Public Service Commission attended the event to celebrate the project and learn about the positive benefits it delivers to the local community and citizens across the state. Green Power EMC, the renewable energy provider owned by 38 Georgia Electric Membership Corporations (EMCs) including Sawnee, is purchasing all the energy and environmental attributes generated by the Houston Solar site on behalf of its member cooperatives.
As a clean energy source, the solar site’s environmental offset is equivalent to approximately 124,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually. The Houston Solar site also co-locates renewable energy production with regenerative agriculture practices on the same land, including land management using planned sheep grazing.
“We serve our members with a diverse portfolio of reliable, affordable and environmentally responsible energy, and solar power has become an increasingly important part of our strategy,” stated Michael Goodroe, Sawnee EMC President and CEO. He further stated, “We are proud that through our participation in the Houston County energy project, we can help serve our members’ power needs with cost-effective solar energy.”
Blake House, Sawnee EMC’s Vice President of Member Services, stated “A portion of the energy received from the Houston Solar site will be available to Sawnee EMC member-owners through the cooperative’s Virtual Solar Program.” Members can learn more about this program at sawnee.com/virtual-solar or by calling 770-887-2363.
About Sawnee EMC
Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation is an electric distribution cooperative headquartered in Cumming, Georgia. Sawnee serves electricity to approximately 191,000 accounts in seven (7) counties of greater north Georgia. Sawnee’s total assets exceed $885 million, with energy sales of 3.8 billion kWh and annual revenue of approximately $417 million. With a team of approximately 363 dedicated professionals and over 11,855 miles of distribution line, Sawnee always stands ready to meet the needs of its members/owners. SEMC strives daily to live up to their motto…
“At Sawnee EMC, We’re More Than Electricity, We’re Service”
This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer
About Green Power EMC
Green Power EMC is a not-for-profit cooperative founded in 2001 to support 38 of Georgia’s electric cooperatives in their search for renewable resources. The primary efforts of Green Power EMC have been to find, screen, analyze, and negotiate power purchase agreements with Georgia-based renewable resource providers. In addition to sourcing renewable energy, Green Power EMC provides education programs that help member-consumers learn both the challenges and opportunities of utilizing renewable energy. For more information, visit greenpoweremc.com or follow Green Power EMC on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.