GULFPORT, Miss. – Mississippi Power has retired its Plant Eaton electric generating facility in Petal, Miss., after nearly 70 years of delivering reliable power to customers. Named after Mississippi Power’s first president, Barney E. Eaton Sr., the plant began operation in March 1945.
 
“Plant Eaton was a very high-tech facility when it began operation and has been a tremendous resource for Mississippi Power customers,” said Ed Day, president and CEO of Mississippi Power. “We thank the cities of Petal and Hattiesburg and Forest County for playing a significant role in leading Mississippi into modern power generation.”
 
When the 67.5 megawatt plant began operation, Mississippi Power supplied electricity to approximately 40,000 customers. In 1945, electricity was utilized primarily for lights, radios and refrigeration.
 
Today, the need for electricity has dramatically changed and the number of Mississippi Power customers has increased more than four times to approximately 186,000.
 
“Just as the company planned for the future when Plant Eaton was built, we are doing so today by advancing 21st century coal technology at the Kemper County energy facility,” said Day. “The facility is the best solution for our customers and will provide environmentally responsible energy for many decades.”

Later this year, the mine, which will supply homegrown Mississippi lignite to the facility, will begin operation. The Kemper project is nearly 75 percent complete and scheduled for commercial operation in May 2014.

Mississippi Power, a Southern Company subsidiary, serves approximately 186,000 customers in 23 southeast Mississippi counties. Mississippi Power recently was awarded the Edison Electric Institute’s Emergency Assistance Award for restoration efforts after Hurricane Sandy.

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