New and expanded nuclear power plants are the most viable current option for reliable, anytime, carbon-free generation.

Electricity is not stored. Fuel is converted to electrical energy as it is needed, adjusted minute by minute throughout the day. We maintain adequate fuel supplies—including coal, natural gas, nuclear, and renewables like hydro power and biomass—to ensure reliable and affordable electricity generation.
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Reliability and Affordability

Coal, natural gas, and uranium are dispatchable fuels, available anytime. These fuels provide reliable electricity and the bulk of our generation capacity.

To ensure affordable generation, we use a mix of fuels. Price spikes in any one fuel can be buffered by alternate fuel choices. Contracts for dispatchable fuels also can be purchased in advance to avoid supply-constrained price spikes in spot markets.

Coal is used to generate about half the nation's supply of electricity and up to two-thirds of electricity in the Southeast. To keep this essential and abundant national resource viable, we are working to advance clean coal technology and lower emissions. For its lower emissions performance, we also use natural gas to power some units. Natural gas is essential during peak times when electricity demands are highest.

Nuclear power supplies about 16 percent of Southern Company's generation. Southern Company is currently seeking an Early Site Permit and a Combined Construction and Operating License to preserve the option to construct two additional units at Plant Vogtle in Georgia. The company has reached an agreement with a vendor to construct the units and is seeking approval from the Public Service Commission in Georgia. We continue to evaluate other sites in the Southeast for potential nuclear development. More on nuclear power »

Supplementary Fuels

We support many practical solar, wind, biomass, landfill, and hydro options for electricity. Southern Company is partnering with Turner Renewable Energy on a 30-MW solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant in Cimarron, New Mexico, we partnered with Georgia Tech on an extensive study of offshore wind potential in the Southeast, and we are building a 100-megawatt (MW) biomass plant in Sacul, Texas. More on renewables »