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Data Centers

Georgia: A Competitive Advantage for Data Centers

Why Georgia for Data Centers

  • Highly reliable power infrastructure and competitive electric rates
  • Aggressive transition to carbon-free electricity portfolio
  • Access to bandwidth and fiber
  • Sales tax exemptions for qualified High Tech Data Center investments
  • Favorable business climate
  • Low risk of business disruption
  • Availability of technical talent
  • Accessibility

QTS expanding metro Atlanta data center campus

”We are excited to add incremental, sellable capacity in a strategic market where QTS is already the market leader supporting over 500 customers between our two existing sites. Witnessing the immense development and growth of the community surrounding our downtown Atlanta data center site over the past decade has been extraordinary. We look forward to continuing to work in close partnership with community leaders to further define Atlanta as an important destination for leading hyperscale technology companies and enterprise customers.”

Chad Williams, chairman and CEO, Lightwave.com, November 2019

Electricity Advantages

Energy Sources

44%

Carbon-Free Generation by 2025

Georgia Power 2020

4,600

MW Solar Generation by 2022

Georgia Power 2020

-15%

GA's Industrial Rate v. U.S.

EIA 2019 Annual Rates

Electricity in Georgia: A Data Center Advantage

Electricity pricing in Georgia is below the national average and is highly competitive with other major data center markets. Georgia Power's pricing is even more competitive with rates running 15% below that of the nation overall. Georgia Power's commitment to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 is reflected in its increasing portfolio of carbon-free generating capacity.

Georgia Power's Simple Solar Program and new Customer Renewable Supply Procurement Program provide customers with affordable and environmentally-friendly energy options. For more information on these programs visit Georgia Power's Simple Solar and Customer Renewable Supply Procurement web sites.

Industrial Electricity, cents per kWh

Transition to Carbon-Free Electricity Generation

Georgia Power is aggressively expanding its carbon-free energy portfolio. The company’s acquisition of solar energy resources and the construction of two new nuclear units at Plant Vogtle are major transition strategy components and reflect Georgia Power’s commitment net-zero emissions by 2050. Currently, 30% of Georgia Power’s generating capacity is carbon-free and includes solar, nuclear, wind, biomass and hydro. By 2025, 44% of the company’s generating capacity will be carbon-free.

Workforce

About Talent

214,000

Information Technology Professionals

Lightcast, 3rd Q 2022

66,300

IT Graduates

Lightcast, 3Q 2022 (IPEDS 2020)

$47.48

Median Hourly Wage

Lightcast, 3Q 2022

Explore Your Workforce

Discover your community's readiness for data centers by exploring existing industry-related talent close to home.

Local Talent

Quality Talent for Less

While IT talent is abundant in metro Atlanta, salaries tend to be moderate, compared with other metropolitan markets due, in part, to cost of living below the national average. See comparative combined IT talent median hourly wages to the left. Occupations include:

  • Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
  • Computer Systems Analysts
  • Computer and Information Systems Managers
  • Network and Computer Systems Administrators
  • Computer Network Support Specialists
  • Computer Network Architects
  • Database Administrators and Architects
  • Information Security Analysts
  • Computer Programmers
  • Web Developers and Digital Interface Designers
  • Computer Hardware Engineers

Median Hourly Wages, IT Occupations

Infrastructure

Reach the Global Economy from Your Front Door

Innovation

Innovation Means Collaboration in Georgia

Business Climate

Lower Costs Give You A Competitive Edge

Data Centers Publication

Data Centers 2020