It’s new generation for the next generation.
The growing energy needs of the Southeast require plenty of power and provide us with plenty of opportunity to grow. By the end of 2003, we plan to add 6,600 megawatts of generation, including approximately 4,700 megawatts for the competitive market.

Our fast-growth business
Competitive generation is the high-growth component of Southern Company’s business plan. Our goal is to double the earnings contribution from this part of our business over the next five years. New generation dedicated to the competitive market gives us the opportunity to earn higher returns in the region’s wholesale markets. The risks are known and manageable because most of this generation will be sold under long-term contracts. To ensure this business is run as efficiently as possible, we have formed a new subsidiary to own, manage, and finance our wholesale generating assets in the Southeast. Meanwhile, our trading floor in Birmingham, Alabama – which set the standard for buying and selling wholesale energy – continues to help our competitive energy business grow as well as reduce costs for our regulated retail customers.

Standing tall
For a concrete example of how we’re building for the future, take a look at Plant Dahlberg in Georgia. With eight units already in operation, and two more under construction, the plant already is meeting the Southeast’s growing energy needs.

The potential to grow the competitive generation business is huge. It is estimated that in the Southeast, the total amount of new generating capacity required in the next 10 years will be more than 60,000 megawatts. Our knowledge of this market is deep and spans decades. We helped create the wholesale generation market when we began selling bulk power to utilities in Florida in the early 1980s. With our expertise and experience in planning, designing, siting, constructing, marketing, and operating power plants in this part of the country, we will continue to be a leader in the Southeast’s competitive generation business.