Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is an American electric utility holding company that delivers power and related services to customers across the southeastern United States. Through its primary subsidiaries—Georgia Power, Alabama Power, Mississippi Power and Southern Power—the company generates, transmits and distributes electricity to more than nine million retail and wholesale customers. Southern Company’s energy portfolio encompasses a diverse mix of generation assets, including natural gas, nuclear, coal and renewable resources such as solar and hydroelectric facilities.
Founded in 1945 and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Southern Company traces its origins to the consolidation of several regional utilities. Over the decades, it has expanded its footprint through the acquisition and development of generating facilities and utility networks. Southern Power, its wholesale power subsidiary established in 2001, invests in independent power generation projects across the broader United States, providing the company with an additional revenue stream outside its core southeastern territory.
Under the leadership of Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Thomas A. Fanning, Southern Company has pursued strategic initiatives aimed at modernizing the electric grid and reducing carbon emissions. The company is actively engaged in research and development programs focused on advanced nuclear technology, battery storage and carbon capture. Southern Company emphasizes regulatory collaboration in its territories to ensure reliable service, while also investing in customer-facing innovations such as smart meters and energy efficiency programs.