Southern Company

Southern Company Services, Inc., headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, is the shared services division of Southern Company. With 4.4 million customers and more than 42,000 megawatts of generating capacity, Atlanta-based Southern Company is the premier energy company serving the Southeast.

A leading U.S. producer of electricity, Southern Company owns electric utilities in four states and is a growing competitive generation company, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications. Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability, and retail electric prices that are significantly below the national average.

Southern Company has been listed as the top-ranking U.S. electric service provider in customer satisfaction for nine consecutive years by the American Customer Satisfaction Index.

Southern made its first sale of common stock--1.5 million shares--in December 1949.

BECO's owner, the Electric Bond & Share Company of New York, put it up for sale in 1950 after the SEC ordered Electric Bond & Share to divest its holdings. In 1950 The Southern Company acquired Birmingham Electric Company (BECO), which had long been pursued by Tom Martin. Also in 1950 Yates became chairman of The Southern Company, and Eugene McManus, president of Georgia Power, was promoted to president of the holding company.

In 1956 the company organized Southern Electric Generating Company (SEGCO), as a cooperative venture between Georgia Power and Alabama Power.

When Yates died in October 1957, McManus became chairman of the board.

Built on the Coosa River near Wilsonville, Alabama, and completed in 1962, the plant consisted of four 250,000-kilowatt units as well as two fully mechanized coal mines.

First owned jointly by the four operating subsidiaries, Southern Company Services became a directly owned subsidiary in 1963.

In 1969 it had 21 steam-electric plants and 30 hydroelectric power projects. In 1969 Harllee Branch, who had been president and chairman, retired as president in favor of Alvin W. Vogtle, Jr.

As president and, later, chairman he served until June 1971.

In January 1982, Southern Energy, Inc., began official operations as a global energy company, growing to serve 10 countries on four continents.

In 1985 Southern had pledged not to pass through to ratepayers any more than $3.56 billion, which was then its share of the $8.35 billion estimated total cost of the Vogtle plant, which also had several smaller utilities as investors.

In 1989 it also began investigating whether executives at Gulf Power had made illegal political contributions.

The year 1990 brought another disappointment as Georgia regulators refused to allow Southern to charge customers for a portion of its investment in the Vogtle nuclear plant.

Another Southern Company subsidiary—Southern Nuclear—began providing services in 1991 to the system's nuclear power plants.

Southern Telecom, a telecommunications subsidiary of Southern Company, was founded in 1997.

In 1999 Southern established a marketing operation in Amsterdam, with the goal of exploring potential growth areas in central Europe. Southern Company's European earnings reached $170 million by 1999.

In 2000 Southern Company participated in the Alabama Direct Fuel Cell Demonstration Project, an effort to develop cleaner power generation through electrochemical technology.

On January 9, 2001, Southern Company received final approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission to form Southern Power, a subsidiary to own, manage and finance wholesale generating assets in the Southeast.

Our long and winding history eventually led to Southern Company purchasing AGL Resources in 2016 and renaming it Southern Company Gas, creating the nation’s largest natural gas-only distribution company.

The company is building the future of energy for the 9 million customers by connecting people, businesses, and future generations to possibility and opportunity.

According to its website:

“We’ve made our name as a leading producer of clean, safe, reliable, and affordable energy, and we approach each day as a vital step in building the future of energy. We’re always looking ahead, and our innovations in the industry—from new nuclear to the deployment of electric transportation and renewables —help brighten the lives and businesses of millions of customers nationwide.”

According to Thomas A. Fanning, Chairman, President & CEO, Southern Company:

“At Southern Company, our vision is rooted in knowing energy provides an opportunity for people to live more comfortable and connected lives, fuels businesses that are shaping industries and creates possibilities for future generations. We put our vision in motion by placing our customers and communities at the center of everything we do. Understanding their needs and going out of our way to prepare them for what’s ahead. Over 27,000 system employees work hard every day to deliver smart solutions anchored in remarkable service, resilience and safety.”

Electric Power Generation: Southern Company generates electricity using a diverse mix of fuel sources, including natural gas, coal, nuclear, hydro, and renewable energy sources.

Natural Gas Distribution: Southern Company provides natural gas to customers through its subsidiary companies, including Alabama Gas, Georgia Natural Gas, and Mississippi Power.

Energy Services: Southern Company provides energy-related services to customers, including energy efficiency programs, energy management solutions, and renewable energy solutions.

Telecommunications: Southern Company provides telecommunications services through its subsidiary companies, including SouthernLINC Wireless and Southern Telecom.

Energy Storage: Southern Company is exploring and developing energy storage solutions to help customers manage their energy usage and reduce costs.