Southern Company sets third record for peak demand energy use
Peaked at 40,642 MW on Aug. 8, 2007
PRNewswire
NYSE: SO

ATLANTA - Aug. 8, 2007 - For the third consecutive day, Southern Company set a new system peak demand record for electricity use, marking the first time in the company’s history that electricity demand exceeded 40,000 megawatts (MW). On Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007, preliminary peak demand for electricity averaged approximately 40,642 MW between 4 and 5 p.m. Eastern Time.

Wednesday’s record is 1,427 megawatts higher than Tuesday’s preliminary peak demand record of 39,215 megawatts, and 2,586 megawatts higher than last summer’s system peak of 38,056 megawatts set on Aug. 10, 2006. The number represents the average peak demand for electricity generated over a one-hour period and reflects the retail and wholesale obligations of Southern Company.

In addition to hot weather across the region, increasing energy demand also is directly related to population and economic growth in the Southeast. During the past year, Southern Company added more than 68,000 customers. The company’s customer growth is a reflection of the economy in the Southeast, which continues to attract new residents and businesses.

About Southern Company:

With 4.3 million customers and more than 42,000 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 been listed the top ranking U.S. electric service provider in customer satisfaction for eight consecutive years by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI).

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Media Contact: Valerie Holpp, Southern Company Media Relations, +1.404.506.5333 or +1.866.506.5333, media@southerncompany.com