ORLANDO (Nov. 14, 2000) – The Orlando Utilities Commission today voted to expand its power generation capacity through a joint development initiative with Southern Company, the nation’s largest producer of electricity.

Construction of a combined-cycle generation unit at OUC’s Curtis H. Stanton Energy Center could begin as soon as fall 2001. The facility (two natural gas-fired, low-emission combustion turbines coupled with a steam turbine) will produce more than 600 megawatts of capacity. The facility could be operational as soon as 2003.

“This additional capacity will meet the future electricity demands of a fast-growing community and maintain the reliability our customers have come to expect,” said Bob Haven, OUC’s general manager and CEO.

“We are excited about this partnership and the opportunity to help meet the growing energy needs of the Central Florida region,” said Charles D. McCrary, president of Southern Company Generation. “The South is the single fastest-growing retail and wholesale energy market in the nation. Our goal is to play a large part in serving that growth by providing energy that is affordable, reliable and cleaner than ever. We look forward to this ongoing partnership and to expanding our presence.”

OUC will own nearly a third of the new generation unit’s output. The Kissimmee Utility Authority and Florida Municipal Power Agency will own smaller shares. Southern Company, selected as a project partner from among some of the nation’s largest energy providers, will own the remaining 65 percent.

Under an initial 10-year contract, OUC, KUA and FMPA will purchase all of Southern’s generating capacity. Options in the contract could extend it for an additional 20 years.

The new natural gas-fired generators will feature combined-cycle technology that minimizes emissions and generates electricity 30 percent more efficiently than earlier technology. Presently, OUC operates two coal-fired generating units at its east Orange County site with a total generating capacity of 930 megawatts. These units are among the most environmentally sound coal-burning operations in the nation, according to federal monitoring agencies.

Owned by the City of Orlando, OUCThe Reliable One provides electricity and water to 158,000 customers in Orlando, St. Cloud and parts of unincorporated Orange County.

Southern Company is an international energy company that operates more than 48,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity worldwide. It is the largest producer of electricity in the United States and one of the world’s largest independent power producers. Southern Company subsidiaries and their affiliates serve 12 million retail customers worldwide and millions more through the wholesale market. Based in Atlanta, Southern Company is the parent firm of Alabama Power, Georgia Power, Gulf Power, Mississippi Power, Savannah Electric and Southern Energy.

Southern Company has operations in 12 countries on five continents and has a growing presence in North America outside the Southeast. Southern Company also provides energy-related marketing, risk management and technical services in the United States and Europe and offers Southern LINC wireless telecommunications.