Clean Energy Aligns with Southern Company's Mission
Providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy to customers is fundamental to Southern Company’s mission. Our growing portfolio of zero carbon resources plays an integral role in helping us meet these objectives as well as our net zero by 2050 goal, which is in direct alignment with the commitments of the Paris Agreement. We are transforming our business as we build a diverse energy portfolio, develop innovative programs and services for our customers, and research new clean energy technologies.
Our Progress
2007
GHG Emissions Baseline
2022
46% Reduction
Our Goals
2030
50% Reduction
2050
Net Zero GHG Emissions
Clean Energy Transition
- Southern Company is the 4th largest owner of renewables in the U.S.
- 30% of our generating capacity was from zero carbon sources in 2022
- 3X increase expected in renewable capacity between 2015-2030
- 91% reduction in the number of coal units since 2007
Net Zero Focus Areas
Key to Southern Company’s environmental initiatives is a net zero transition focusing on greenhouse gas emissions reductions, decarbonization and a Just Transition, which include:
- Reduced reliance on uneconomic coal-fired generating assets
- Thoughtful use of natural gas
- Further growth in our portfolio of clean energy resources
- Enhanced energy efficiency initiatives
- Negative carbon solutions
- Continued investment in R&D of clean energy technologies, such as hydrogen
In addition to our efforts to reduce direct emissions (Scope 1), across the Southern Company system we are working with upstream fuel suppliers and downstream customers to reduce indirect (Scope 3) emissions.
Energy Portfolio Transition & Scenario Planning
As we transition to net zero, we believe having a diversified energy portfolio is crucial to reducing emissions while maintaining reliability and affordability.
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Emissions Reduction and Reporting
Southern Company is focusing on the full value chain of GHG emissions. In addition to reducing emissions from operations (Scope 1 & 2), we are committed to driving upstream and downstream emissions reductions (Scope 3).
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Decarbonization of Natural Gas Distribution and Use
Natural gas and the infrastructure that transports it is foundational to a clean energy future. We are committed to reducing GHG emissions from our own business and value chain.
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Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency and demand response are key aspects of our efforts to provide clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy to our communities.
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Leadership
"I continue to be confident that we are prepared and well-positioned to meet the needs of our customers, employees, communities and investors well into the future and will succeed in our transition to a net zero future.”
Thomas A. Fanning
Executive Chairman
Southern Company
- Energy mix percentages include non-affiliate power purchase agreements.
- Renewables/Other category includes wind, solar, hydropower, biomass, and landfill gas.
- Energy mix represents all of the energy the Southern Company system uses to service its retail and wholesale customers. It is not meant to represent delivered energy mix to any particular retail customer or class of customers.
- With respect to renewable generation and associated renewable energy credits (RECs) to the extent an affiliate of Southern Company has the right to the RECs assocuiated with renewable energy it generates or purchases, it retains the right to sell the energy and RECs, either bundled or seperately, to retail customers and third parties.
Includes owned and contracted resources including 100% capacity for jointly owned projects. With respect to renewable generation and associated renewable energy credits (RECs), to the extent an affiliate of Southern Company has the right to the RECs associated with renewable energy it generates or purchases, it retains the right to sell the energy and RECs, either bundled or separately, to retail customers or third parties.
Other includes biomass and landfill gas.
*Future estimates include owned and contracted capacity that have received regulatory approval. Additional renewable resources could be added prior to 2030 at Southern Power or at our operating companies, should they be proposed and approved through regulatory processes.
Reflects Effluent Limitations Guidelines (ELG) compliance filings made by Southern Company's traditional electric operating companies, as well as the 2021 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) for Mississippi Power and the 2022 IRP for Georgia Power. Units are expected to be either retired or repowered to burn natural gas during peak loads. Minority ownership units are subject to compliance decisions made by minority owners.
*For 2028, approvals have already been received to reduce the total number of coal generating units to 10. In prior filings, Georgia Power requested to retire Plant Bowen Units 1&2 by 2028 and Units 3&4 by 2035, and expects these requests to be considered in future regulatory proceedings.