ATLANTA – Southern Company on Wednesday set a system peak demand record for electricity use. Preliminary peak demand for electricity averaged approximately 37,760 megawatts between 4 and 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Aug. 2. The demand exceeded the previous record of 37,734 megawatts set on July 26, 2005.

“Through a combination of long-term planning and a focus on day-to-day operations, we have sufficient generation supply to meet the need for electricity in Southern Company’s service territory,” said David Ratcliffe, Southern Company president and chief executive officer. “Our operating personnel have done an excellent job of planning for peak season and keeping our plants available to serve our customers.”

Ratcliffe added that the company is able to consistently deliver energy to its customers because, “We have kept our transmission system working smoothly and in compliance with reliability standards. We have continually invested in our transmission system infrastructure and we follow a disciplined operation and maintenance program. Our employees’ efforts keep Southern Company near the top among utilities nationwide for reliably and effectively serving customers.”

With 4.3 million customers and more than 40,000 megawatts of generating capacity, Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is the premier energy company serving the Southeast, one of America’s fastest-growing regions. A leading U.S. producer of electricity, Southern Company owns electric utilities in four states and 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 received the highest ranking in customer satisfaction among U.S. electric service providers for seven consecutive years by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI).