the technology behind the power
Power outages can happen for many reasons. Storms, animals, tree branches, and equipment problems can all interrupt service. While some outages cannot be avoided, Central Georgia EMC (CGEMC) is always working to make outages shorter and less frequent. Our technology helps us find problems faster and restore power more quickly.
How the System Protects Your Power
Along our power lines, we use devices that work like the circuit breakers in your home. These include fuses, reclosers, and other smart equipment that help protect the line. • Fuses blow once when something goes wrong, protecting the equipment from damage. • Reclosers can open and close a few times to see if the issue clears on its own. • Smart devices quickly send information back to our Operations Center if they sense trouble. This is why your lights may blink as the system works to stop a problem before it becomes a long outage.
Smarter Equipment for Better Reliability
Our electric system uses many advanced devices and these devices let our Operations Center know if equipment has tripped or if a section of line has lost power. Because this information arrives quickly, our team can respond and make adjustments from the Operations Center without waiting for a crew to arrive. This helps prevent outages and shortens the ones that do occur. Our Operations Center also uses tools that monitor conditions at substations. If voltage or frequency go outside normal ranges, the system alerts us right away so we can take action.
Our OMS Map: A Powerful Restoration Tool
One of the most important tools we use is our Outage Management System (OMS). This system provides a live digital map of our entire electric distribution network. It helps us: • See the general vicinity where an outage has occurred. • Predict the cause or location of the problem. • View the number of members who are affected. • Plan the fastest and safest way to restore power. The map works because smart devices in the field send near real time data to us. When something happens on the system, the map highlights the problem area, so we know where to send crews.
Getting Power Back on Faster
Because our System Operators can see outage information in near real time, they can send the closest crew to the problem area. This reduces travel time and helps shorten outages. In some situations, we can also route electricity through a different path while repairs are made. This allows many members to keep their power on while crews work to restore the system.
Helping Crews Work Faster in the Field
Technology also supports our lineworkers in many ways. They use tablets to view updated maps, work orders, and directions without carrying heavy books. In certain areas, drones are used to inspect lines that are hard to reach. These tools help crews find the issues quickly and make repairs safely.
Looking Ahead
We cannot prevent every outage because Georgia weather, trees, and wildlife will always create challenges. However, with technology like smart devices, near real-time monitoring, drones, and our OMS map, we can respond faster and continue improving the reliability of your electric service. At Central Georgia EMC, keeping your lights on is our highest priority, and modern technology helps us do this better every year.
Don't Shoot The Lines
Know what is beyond your target and hunt safely!
Birds may roost on power lines, but taking aim at them can have serious consequences.
Shooting near power lines or fiber cables can:
- Disrupt service for entire neighborhoods.
- Damage crucial equipment, with costly repairs.
- Be dangerous, and is against the law.
Even a single round can bring down lines or shatter fiber strands, leaving you and your neighbors in the dark.
Help make it a safe season for everyone. Stay alert. Keep a safe distance. Know what is beyond your target.
2025-2026 Mourning Dove Season Dates:
- December 19-January 31
For regulations and updates, visit: https://georgiawildlife.com/hunting/hunter-resources
capital credits, a benefit of membership
The Central Georgia EMC Board of Directors announced a capital credits refund to electric consumers who received service during the year 2004. The refund checks were mailed to members on December 5, 2025. The total amount of this refund was $1,500,203, which represents a portion of the margins for the year 2004. The margins are used as capital until they can be returned through a general refund without impairing the cooperative’s financial condition. Capital credits are a benefit of your membership. Thank you for your patronage.
brrr-ight winter savings!
Keep your home cozy this winter without driving up your energy bill. Small changes can make a big difference when temperatures drop.
- Let the sun help. Open the curtains during the day to let in natural warmth, then close them at night to keep cold air out.
- Reverse your ceiling fans. Switching them to a low, clockwise rotation helps push warm air down where you need it.
- Cozy up! Layer clothing and use blankets instead of constantly increasing the heat.
- Replace filters regularly and keep vents clear to help your heating system run efficiently.
A few brrr-ight ideas now can add up to BIG savings!
Brighten your nights!
Did you know CGEMC offers Outdoor Lighting?
Automatic dusk-to-dawn lighting and maintenance included. An affordable monthly rate is added to your electric bill.
Two light-radius options to suit your needs:
- Small (120 ft) overhead
- Large (200 ft) overhead
Underground options also available.
With less daylight in winter, CGEMC Outdoor Lighting helps keeps your evenings well-lit and welcoming all season long.
Visit our website at www.cgemc.com/outdoor-lighting or call our customer service team at 770-775-7857 to learn more.
Note: If a pole or transformer must be added, an additional charge will apply.
Start your year off right with fiber internet! Leave slow internet and buffering in 2025. Conexon Connect allows you to experience the future of high-speed internet. With fiber internet from Connect, powered by Central Georgia EMC, you can kick off 2026 the right way with reliable, affordable, high-speed internet. Conexon Connect allows you to:
- Stream your favorite movies and tv shows.
- Play online games with no lags or buffering
- Access online learning resources
- Utilize telemedicine
- And more! Enjoy endless possibilities at your fingertips.
Don’t miss out on high-speed fiber internet - make the switch today! Check your availability at ConexonConnect.com or call us at 844-542-6663. Wishing you all a happy new year from all of us at Conexon Connect!
Two Scholarship Opportunities, One Application!
Application Deadline January 23, 2026
Central Georgia EMC is proud to support the next generation of leaders through two exciting scholarship opportunities designed to help students achieve their educational goals. The Walter Harrison Scholarship honors the legacy of Walter Harrison, a visionary leader in the electric cooperative movement. In 2025, the Walter Harrison Trust will award 19 $1,000 scholarships across Georgia. Scholarships are available to high school seniors and undergraduate students who live in a Central Georgia EMC member household and are enrolled or accepted into a Georgia college, university, or vocational-technical institute. Winners are selected based on financial need and academic ability. Central Georgia EMC will select three semifinalists from its service area to advance to the state level. Each semifinalist will automatically receive a $500 Powering the Future Scholarship, providing applicants with two opportunities to earn scholarship support with one application.
what if spare change could change lives?
With Operation Round Up, it can! Each month, your bill rounds up to the nearest dollar and those extra cents go straight to the Central Georgia EMC Foundation, fueling grants for local nonprofits, schools, and community programs. On average, members contribute only about $6 a year, yet those small amounts create a huge impact.
Take part in a program that builds hope right here at home. If you are not yet enrolled in Operation Round Up, now is the perfect time to make your pennies count toward something extraordinary! All contributions are tax-deductible.
Qualifying 501(c)(3) organizations in our service territory are invited to submit an application to the Central Georgia EMC Foundation.
Through Operation Round Up, our members support local organizations with a mission to make our communities even better places to live, work, and dream big. By simply rounding up your monthly electric bill to the next dollar, you can join in! Our pennies add up to make BIG CHANGE!
Updates
Holiday Closing
- Monday, January 19, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Right-of-Way
Asplundh, our right-of-way contractor, will be working in Butts and Spalding Counties. Please call 770-775-7857 if you have any questions or concerns.
System Inspections
CGEMC has contracted with Cappstone Energy Group LLC to perform system inspections in Spalding County. Cappstone Energy Group LLC technicians will have signs on their vehicles (pickup trucks and UTVs) identifying them as CGEMC contractors. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact CGEMC at 770-775-7857.
Georgia Magazine
Enjoy the latest digital edition of Georgia Magazine using the link below.
Credits:
Created with images by ds17 - "White ceramic mug on knitted beige blanket with blurred warm lights and candles in background, cozy home atmosphere, winter relaxation concept." • Lilya - "Christmas winter background with snow and blurred bokeh.Merry christmas and happy new year greeting card with copy-space." • simba kim - "showcasing a modern street LED lighting pole. Generative AI" • patpongstock - "Children engaging in creative play with a 3D printer, exploring design concepts and creating colorful models together." • DreamPointArt - "Nutritional treats: A vibrant mix of healthy foods. Proper nutrition, healthy lifestyle."