Georgia Power Appoints New CEO Amid Grid Expansion Plans
The leadership change arrives as the utility balances new data center power demands with a recent base rate freeze agreement.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in People
Live Poll
Should utility companies prioritize grid expansion for data centers if it affects residential customer rates?
Georgia Power announced a leadership transition, appointing current Southern Co. COO Stan Connally as its new chairman, president, and CEO effective January 1. The utility is reshuffling its executive team as it expands its power grid to meet growing demand from energy-intensive data centers.
Why it matters
The utility faces intense pressure to manage rising operational costs and public scrutiny following six rate increases in three years. These leadership changes arrive as the company navigates the complex regulatory challenge of balancing grid infrastructure investments with rate stabilization efforts.
Georgia Power implemented six customer bill hikes over the last three years, though it has recently agreed to freeze base rates. The transition comes after a period of political volatility that saw two Georgia Public Service Commissioners lose their seats last year.
The players
Stan Connally
The current chief operating officer for Southern Co. who is set to lead Georgia Power.
Southern Co.
A major utility holding company that operates electric subsidiaries in Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi.
Georgia Power
A primary utility service provider managing power generation and distribution across the state of Georgia.
Kim Greene
The former leader of Southern Company Gas who has been appointed president of Southern Company Operations.
The details
Stan Connally takes the helm as Georgia Power executes a grid expansion strategy involving new gas-fired plants, solar, and battery storage. To manage the high electricity requirements of local data centers, the company has introduced protections to shield general customers from associated infrastructure costs. Additional leadership moves include Sterling Spainhour heading the technology organization and Sloane Drake managing systemwide training.
Timeline
October 30, 2026: Management changes announced.
January 1, 2027: Stan Connally starts as CEO.
Market Landscape
This leadership transition occurs under the shadow of the Georgia Public Service Commission rate-setting oversight, which has been recently reshaped by electoral outcomes. It marks a shift in strategy as the utility moves from a cycle of successive rate hikes toward a mandate of base rate stability.
Business operators should monitor upcoming tariff filings as the utility balances data center infrastructure costs against its rate freeze agreement. The new leadership's approach to grid expansion will likely dictate energy reliability and cost predictability for commercial customers through 2027.
The takeaway
The utility is attempting to reset its relationship with the public after several years of volatile billing. Operators should track whether the new management team maintains the base rate freeze as grid demand from data centers continues to climb.
Further reading
For broader trends on executive shifts in the region, review the latest updates in our Georgia People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Live Poll
Should utility companies prioritize grid expansion for data centers if it affects residential customer rates?
