In a compelling Tech Talks Business session hosted at the Cisco Innovation Center, Dean Anuj Mehrotra welcomed Kim Greene, chairman, president, and CEO of Georgia Power, for a conversation that touched on energy, leadership, and innovation. Greene, a biomedical engineer turned energy executive, shared insights into Georgia Power’s 140-year history and influential role in shaping the state’s infrastructure and economy
Green’s path to the energy sector was unconventional. “Growing up, I wanted to be a doctor,” she shared. “But every time I saw someone getting a shot, I fainted.” Her father encouraged her to pursue engineering, leading to a master’s degree in biomedical engineering and eventually a career designing equipment for power plants. That foundation taught her problem solving, teamwork, and collaboration. These skills continue to guide her leadership.
Georgia Power’s Expanding Role
Greene emphasized Georgia Power’s foundational role in the state’s growth, especially amid the rise of AI and data centers. “Electricity and energy are foundational to everything we do,” she said. “Clean water, safe medicine, manufacturing – all of it depends on reliable, affordable electricity.”
She addressed concerns about the energy demands of data centers, assuring students that Georgia’s vertically integrated, state-regulated model allows for careful planning and accountability. “We own the power plants, transmission lines, and distribution lines,” Greene explained. “That structure gives us the ability to optimize and ensure reliability.”
Greene also highlighted the recent freeze on base rates for the next three years, crediting large data centers for helping offset costs. “Their demand is helping keep everybody else’s rates lower than they would otherwise be,” she said.
Nuclear Innovation and Sustainability
The conversation turned to nuclear energy, with Greene proudly noting that Georgia is home to the only two new nuclear units built from scratch in the U.S. in the last 30 years. “Nuclear power is zero-emission, extraordinarily reliable, and safe,” she said. “We need more of it.”
She also discussed Georgia Power’s diverse energy portfolio, which includes solar, hydroelectric, natural gas, and batteries. “We’re among the top 10 states in solar,” Greene noted, “and we’re adding more batteries and clean fuels like hydrogen.”
Leadership and Ethics
On leadership, Greene spoke candidly about the importance of ethics and transparency. She urged students to “check your moral compass regularly. Your personal judgment and ethics are the most important characteristics you have.”
Greene also emphasized the value of receiving bad news early. “How you receive bad news determines the amount of bad news you’ll receive,” she said. “As a leader, you want to hear it as soon as possible.”
Question and Answer
The session concluded with a lively Q&A with current Georgia Tech students and alumni stepping up to the microphone to ask Greene questions about environmental impact, energy mix, and leadership style.
When asked about future trends, Greene emphasized the importance of having a diverse power portfolio. Georgia Power uses recycled water and is transitioning to air-cooled systems to reduce environmental impact. Currently, about 35% of Georgia Power’s energy comes from non-fossil sources like nuclear, hydro, and solar. Greene projected that solar could double in the next 20 years but emphasized the need for a balanced portfolio.
In response to a question about the demands of data centers, Greene described how Georgia Power works with companies like Microsoft to forecast energy needs and secure long-term contracts, ensuring infrastructure investments are responsibly funded.
Greene also discussed her development as a leader and how she stays composed. She credits experience and her family. “I’ve been doing this for almost 35 years,” she said. “And my kids always remind me that I’m just a normal person.”
As the conversation drew to a close, Greene expressed optimism about the future of energy innovation. “We’ve got lots of cool things happening,” she said. “From new nuclear capabilities and clean fuels like hydrogen to advanced transmission technologies that can direct the flow of electricity more efficiently — this is a thrilling time to be in the power business.”
Watch the full event:
