Welcome to our dedicated page for Southern news (Ticker: SO), a resource for investors and traders seeking the latest updates and insights on Southern stock.
The Southern Company (SO) generates a steady flow of news through its electric and natural gas subsidiaries, regulatory filings and capital markets activity. As an energy provider serving approximately 9 million customers across the Southeast and beyond, its announcements often focus on generation projects, regulatory decisions, financing transactions and community initiatives. Investors and observers following SO news can see how the company’s strategy unfolds across electric utilities, natural gas distribution and related infrastructure businesses.
A significant portion of recent coverage centers on Georgia Power, the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company. News items describe developments in nuclear energy at Plants Hatch and Vogtle, including long-term operation milestones and the role of Vogtle’s four units as a major source of clean energy. Other releases highlight natural gas generation projects such as new combustion turbine units at Plant Yates, as well as integrated resource plans that outline thousands of megawatts of new gas-fired generation, battery energy storage and solar-plus-storage resources.
Regulatory and rate-related news is another key theme. Georgia Power’s agreements with the Georgia Public Service Commission’s Public Interest Advocacy Staff, multi-year rate plans and certifications of new resources are detailed in press releases and Form 8-K filings. These items explain how base rates, earnings ranges and large-load customer contributions are structured to manage customer bills while funding substantial capital investments.
Southern Company news also includes capital markets transactions, such as the pricing and issuance of equity units that combine stock purchase contracts with remarketable senior notes. In addition, subsidiaries like Southern Company Gas and Georgia Natural Gas issue releases about community support, energy assistance programs and charitable grants. By following SO news, readers can track developments in nuclear and gas generation, grid and transmission upgrades, regulatory outcomes, financing decisions and community engagement across the Southern Company system.
Southern Company (SO) has announced an increase in its dividend by 8 cents per share on an annualized basis to $2.96 per share. This marks the company's 77th consecutive year of maintaining or increasing its dividend payments and the 24th consecutive year of dividend raises.
The company declared a regular quarterly dividend of 74 cents per share, representing a 2-cent increase from the previous quarter. The dividend will be payable on June 6, 2025, to shareholders of record as of May 19, 2025.
CEO Christopher C. Womack highlighted that this decision reflects the company's commitment to providing regular, predictable, and sustainable dividend growth, supported by premier state-regulated utilities and energy infrastructure under long-term contracts.
Georgia Power, serving 2.8 million customers, has received the Emergency Recovery Award from Edison Electric Institute for its exceptional response to Hurricane Helene in 2024. The hurricane, making landfall on September 26, 2024, became the most destructive in the company's 140-year history, affecting over one million Georgians.
The storm's impact included 11,800+ broken power poles, 1,500+ miles of downed power lines, 5,800+ damaged transformers, and 345+ transmission structures requiring repair. A team of 20,000 workers, including crews from New Jersey, California, and Canada, worked to restore power.
Looking ahead, Georgia Power plans to hire approximately 180 lineworkers annually over the next several years, with Power Delivery hiring around 700 positions annually. The company partners with technical colleges offering Electrical Lineworker Apprentice Certification programs, with over 60% of new lineworkers coming from these institutions.
The Georgia Power Foundation has reached a significant milestone, awarding over $2.25 million through 65 grants for workforce development programs across Georgia since 2020. The Foundation's Workforce for Georgia program has impacted over 10,000 students through Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education initiatives.
The program provides up to $50,000 per grant to qualified schools for 12-18 month periods, supporting various educational pathways including biomanufacturing, cybersecurity, engineering, and manufacturing. Twenty-one new programs received funding in the latest round, focusing on developing skills for in-demand careers within local communities.
Georgia Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), serves 2.8 million customers across Georgia, maintaining a diverse generation mix including nuclear, coal, natural gas, and renewables while offering rates below the national average.
Southern Linc, a wireless subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), has chosen OneLayer's Bridge platform to enhance management and security of its CriticalLinc™ LTE network. The network, powered by Ericsson's core technology, covers 122,000 square miles and supports various devices for commercial and utility customers.
The Bridge platform provides:
- High-accuracy device fingerprinting
- Device identity correlation across IP and cellular networks
- Real-time detection of hidden devices
- Network threat detection and response
- Policy enforcement and network segmentation capabilities
Southern Linc's network supports electric grid control, monitoring devices, cellular routers, mission-critical push-to-talk services, smartphones, and various sensors. The implementation aims to improve network control and support efficient scaling as demand for network access increases.
Georgia Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO) serving 2.8 million customers, has been ranked #1 for business customer satisfaction among Large Utilities in the South by J.D. Power in its 2024 study.
The company has implemented several improvements over the past two years, including:
- Monthly tailored email communications with business-specific energy reduction strategies
- Enhanced website experience at GeorgiaPower.com/Business
- Personalized service through key account managers for large customers
The satisfaction ranking was based on six factors: power quality and reliability, price, billing and payment, corporate citizenship, customer contact, and communications. The company offers various tools and resources for businesses, including the Business Energy Advisor tool for optimizing electric pricing and accessing industry-specific efficiency tips.
Southern Company (SO) has announced it will release its first-quarter 2025 earnings on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at 7:30 a.m. ET. The company will host a conference call at 1 p.m. ET the same day, featuring Chairman, President and CEO Christopher C. Womack and CFO Daniel S. Tucker to discuss the quarterly results with financial analysts.
A live webcast of the conference call will be accessible to investors, media, and the public through the company's investor relations website. The webcast recording will remain available for replay on the site for 12 months.
Southern Company (SO) and EPRI have announced a new Emerging Technologies Pilot Program (ETP) to accelerate the validation and deployment of innovative energy solutions. The collaboration combines Southern Company's energy distribution capabilities with EPRI's Incubatenergy Labs program expertise.
The program aims to streamline technology implementation processes and reduce the time to value for new energy solutions. Key benefits include:
- Accelerated pilot selection through EPRI's evaluation process
- Enhanced resource utilization leveraging EPRI's expertise
- Reduced risk through a 'sandbox' environment for technology demonstration
The initiative will focus on identifying critical strategic needs, with EPRI connecting suitable technology companies to meet Southern Company's business objectives. The program will prioritize the most promising concepts for potential future development.
Southern Company Gas has announced the appointment of Walt Farrell as president and CEO of Atlanta Gas Light and Chattanooga Gas, effective March 31, 2025. Farrell will oversee southern operations serving approximately 1.8 million customers across Georgia and Tennessee.
Farrell joins from his current position as vice president of economic development at Georgia Power, where his team earned recognition as a 'Top Utility in Economic Development' by Site Selection magazine for the 26th consecutive year in 2024. His previous experience includes roles at the Georgia Department of Economic Development and positions with Electric Cities of Georgia and MEAG Power.
In his new role, Farrell will serve on the Southern Company Gas Management Council, focusing on delivering clean, safe, reliable, and affordable natural gas to customers across both states.
Georgia Power and state lawmakers gathered at the Georgia State Capitol to honor lineworkers for their response during Hurricane Helene, recognized as the most destructive storm in the company's 140-year history. The State Senate passed Resolution 253, declaring March 11, 2025, as Georgia Linemen Day.
During Hurricane Helene, lineworkers worked up to 18-hour days in hazardous conditions to restore power across Georgia. The resolution acknowledges their important role in maintaining the state's electrical infrastructure and emergency response capabilities.
Kim Greene, chairman, president and CEO of Georgia Power, praised the lineworkers' unwavering commitment. The recognition precedes the annual Lineworker Appreciation Month in April, during which Georgia Power crews will share their Hurricane Helene experiences through the company's social media channels.
Mississippi Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), announced the appointment of Pedro Cherry as its new president, while Anthony Wilson will continue as chairman and CEO until summer. Cherry brings 30 years of energy industry experience, including 25 years within the Southern Company system.
Cherry previously served as president and CEO of Atlanta Gas Light and Chattanooga Gas, overseeing approximately 1.8 million customers. His prior role as executive vice president of Customer Service and Operations at Georgia Power involved leading 5,000+ employees and managing electric systems serving 2.6 million customers.
The announcement comes during Mississippi Power's centennial year, with the company currently serving more than 192,000 customers across 23 southeast Mississippi counties. The company was recognized in 2024 by the Southeastern Electric Exchange for Top Safety Performance in its generation category.