GE announced Friday it plans to divide its energy infrastructure division into three separate companies in a move that turns its Atlanta-based unit into a standalone business.

The company said its energy management operations, headquartered in Atlanta, will now report directly to GE chief executive Jeff Immelt. It also split up two other units: The oil and gas division and the power and water business.

The three operations previously reported to John Krenicki, who was the energy infrastructure division's chief executive. GE said he will be leaving the company after nearly three decades.

Company spokesman Jim Healy said some layoffs are expected due to the reorganization, but he declined to say how many.

GE employs about 2,000 people in the energy field in Atlanta.