Georgia Power has announced a new Customer Protection Pledge, saying it is designed to keep electricity affordable while meeting the state’s rapidly growing demand for power from new industries, including data centers and manufacturers.

The utility’s six-point pledge includes maintaining its base-rate freeze through at least 2028, requiring new large-energy users to pay the cost of the infrastructure needed to serve them, investing in a stronger electric grid, negotiating fairly with property owners, maintaining a balanced energy portfolio and protecting natural resources. Georgia Power says typical residential customers are projected to save about $102 per year beginning in 2029, in addition to an overall rate reduction approved earlier this year.

Georgia Power says large customers, such as data centers using 100 megawatts or more, must sign long-term contracts, pay monthly minimum bills and cover the costs of the transmission and generation infrastructure required to serve them, rather than shifting those costs to residential customers.

However, critics and consumer advocates remain skeptical. They argue it is still too early to know whether residential customers will ultimately avoid paying for the enormous energy demands created by data centers. Earlier this month, the Georgia Public Service Commission voted to open an investigation into whether industrial customers, including data centers, could still be shifting some fuel and other electricity costs onto homes and small businesses. Consumer advocates welcomed that review, saying it is needed to verify Georgia Power’s claims.

Separately, some property owners and community groups have raised concerns about new transmission lines and other infrastructure needed to support data center growth. Critics have cited potential impacts on private property, land use and local communities as Georgia continues to experience a surge in data center development.