Growing Demand for Energy
Customer demand for energy is projected to grow rapidly across the United
States, including in Southern Company’s service territories.
To meet this projected demand, and based on current regulatory approvals and structures, we expect to invest approximately $76 billion over our five-year planning horizon (2025-2029), of which 95% is related to our state-regulated utilities.
Through our investments, we aim to enhance reliability and resilience,without compromising affordability for our customers. In addition, both our electric and natural gas subsidiaries have longstanding programs providing education, incentives and options encouraging customers to optimize their energy usage.
Electric Operations
In the Southeastern electric service territory, we expect average annual retail sales growth of 8% through 2029, which is a significant change to our growth forecast of 0-1% for previous years. This unprecedented projected demand is expected due to population growth, expanded manufacturing, artificial intelligence-related computing needs and data centers. We are working with our state regulators and other stakeholders develop a multi-faceted approach to serving this robust forecasted load growth reliably and affordably.
We are:
- Uprating, or upgrading to produce more power at existing generating facilities.
- Constructing new generating facilities using a variety of fuel sources and adding complementary battery storage facilities.
- Constructing new transmission infrastructure to connect the generating facilities and energy storage resources to the grid.
- Procuring existing generating facilities and extending power purchase agreements with third parties.
- Investing in grid improvement projects that include capital maintenance and infrastructure replacement, storm hardening, cyber and physical security and undergrounding
- Deploying smart technology, which allows us to restore service faster and, in some cases, avoids outages altogether.
Natural Gas Distribution
Our natural gas distribution companies are investing in infrastructure modernization and advanced technologies to improve customer safety. We conduct regular inspections, proactively repair leaks and deploy modern technology and materials across our system, increasing the efficiency of our energy and mitigating risks of service interruption. Prioritizing infrastructure upgrades has reduced methane leaks and decreased maintenance costs, improving consistency in service.
Our natural gas utilities are expanding or piloting advanced technologies, including drones, satellites, stationary monitors and artificial intelligence-enabled cloud computing platforms, to better detect leaks and measure emissions.
- Over a 10-year period from 2014-2023, Southern Company Gas has reduced pipeline emissions from distribution systems by over 10% while expanding its miles of pipes (mains and services) by more than 6%. We achieved this through our “superior operations” approach: modernizing infrastructure and reducing leaks through detection and repair.
- We have replaced 100% of known cast or wrought iron pipes with state-of-the-art, corrosion-resistant pipes.
- Both Chattanooga Gas and Virginia Natural Gas supply 100% of their residential and small business customers with certified Next Generation Natural Gas. This strategic move aligns with our ongoing efforts to lead in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, leveraging initiatives such as pipeline modernization and offering more sustainable energy options to customers.
Leadership & Partnership
Georgia Power continues to receive high marks for customer satisfaction and innovation as it serves 2.8 million customers across the state, including recent recognition by J.D. Power for new strategies to drive satisfaction for business customers.
"We know that businesses that are growing or expanding in Georgia are not only looking for reliable and affordable energy, but they also expect and deserve world-class customer service. Our customers are at the center of everything we do, and we are incredibly proud of the most recent J.D. Power results. I applaud the thousands of Georgia Power employees dedicated to delivering outstanding customer service and creating innovative, data-driven solutions that meet our business customers' needs.”
- Chimaobi Chijoke
Vice President of Customer Services for Georgia Power
