Georgia Power chief: Company’s role changing
W. Paul Bowers says the company is a service provider and a community partner.
Georgia Power is not just a utility, it is a utility service provider, according to the chairman, president and chief executive officer.
W. Paul Bowers spoke to the Rome Rotary Club on Thursday about the changes that Georgia Power is dealing with in the realm of customer expectations.
“I ask people, what is a utility? Many say it provides an essential service. We want to be more of an energy services company. Our services do not stop at the meter,” he said.
Bowers said Georgia Power makes, moves and sells its products.
“It’s dynamic in every way,” he said. “We need to ensure reliability. There are several ways to supply that energy, such as gas, coal, nuclear and solar facilities.”
He explained that the planned nuclear plant in Augusta has been getting a lot of attention.
“There are 72 nuclear power facilities in the world,” he said. “There are only four in America. People do question the safety,
but there is nothing safer. There are 425 reactors in operation today and only three incidents. The plans for the facility in Augusta are unsurpassed.”
Safety of power grids is also something that many ask about, but Bowers said many of the stories of unprotected electrical power grids are overblown.
“When someone says that our security protecting power is rated at a third-world level, that is absolutely false,” he said. “We have some of the best security in the world. We are improving security all the time and putting time and money in to make sure facilities are not attacked or vulnerable.”
Important components in their service is working with what their customers want and being part of the community, he added.
“Our customers want us to put solar panels on their roof, create
financial platforms,” he said. “Our definition as a business has evolved. We are looking at new devices that will enhance our business, devices that will predict maintenance needs and smart meters, the ability to plug in your car at your home and charge it, new, better ways to store energy.”
He said he hopes to see the general perception of utilities change.
“I spoke to a group of students and asked them if they were interested in going into a career in utilities,” he said. “There were 50 students, and no one raised their hand. I asked them to think about the technology, about the things we do and offer and how the field is growing. I think I had three of them interested then. We have to make today’s students think about the future and the energy field is filled with opportunities.”