ATLANTA, Georgia — Burns & McDonnell is providing program and construction management services for a multiyear, $7.5 billion Georgia Power Grid Investment Plan. The partnership is designed to meet today’s energy challenges head-on and help to improve reliability across the state.

By the end of 2022, Burns & McDonnell will have created more than 200 engineering, construction management and support jobs to oversee the initial phase of the program. Since the infrastructure upgrades commenced at the beginning of 2020, approximately 1,600 total jobs have been created among the partner companies involved. The investment in Georgia Power’s electrical infrastructure will strengthen the reliability of the state’s electrical system and power grid, reducing the number and duration of electrical power outages.

Burns & McDonnell is responsible for establishing processes, procedures and project management tools to manage hundreds of projects uniformly, consistently and efficiently across the program. The firm is also providing reporting that will enable the project team to quickly identify and respond to any challenges that could affect scheduling and budget.

The Burns & McDonnell team oversees three contractors that are providing engineering and construction services for multiple transmission and distribution projects within the plan. Burns & McDonnell also is overseeing a third-party logistics firm contracted by Georgia Power to handle the materials needed for the multibillion-dollar investment plan.

“A reliable power supply is critical to vibrant communities, and a grid investment program like this is key to better serving thousands of the area’s electric utility customers,” says Justin Kanitz, transmission and distribution program manager for Burns & McDonnell in Atlanta. “We are excited to be a part of this project, helping Georgia Power pave a path toward its long-term energy vision for the communities it serves across the state.”

Approximately 280,000 customers will directly benefit from the upgrades made to Georgia Power’s electrical power system in this first phase of the plan. The project consists of targeted low-voltage distribution improvements and statewide high-voltage transmission improvements.

During the initial phase of the program, the team is upgrading approximately 1,500 miles of distribution circuits and rebuilding approximately 200 miles of transmission lines. Along with power line improvements, 36 transmission and distribution substations are being enhanced.

“Our team is honored to be chosen as the firm trusted with providing the optimal solutions needed for Georgia Power to upgrade its grid. This endeavor is one of our company’s largest infrastructure projects in the U.S.,” says Oko Buckle, vice president and general manager of the Atlanta office of Burns & McDonnell. “In terms of creating jobs in Georgia, it’s great to be part of a project that contributes to the state’s economy by putting people to work.”

Engineering News-Record ranks Burns & McDonnell No. 1 in Power and among the top 10 design firms in the U.S.

About Burns & McDonnell

Burns & McDonnell is a family of companies bringing together an unmatched team of more than 7,600 engineers, construction professionals, architects, planners, technologists and scientists to design and build our critical infrastructure. With an integrated construction and design mindset, we offer full-service capabilities with more than 60 offices globally. Founded in 1898, Burns & McDonnell is 100% employee-owned.