The Southern Co is a holding company, which engages in the generation and sale of electricity.

It operates through the following segments: Traditional Electric Operating Companies, Southern Power, and Southern Company Gas.

The Traditional Electric Operating Companies segment refers to vertically integrated utilities that own generation, transmission and distribution facilities, and supplies electric services in the states of Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Mississippi.

The Southern Power segment constructs, acquires, owns, and manages generation assets such as renewable energy projects and sells electricity in the wholesale market.

The Southern Company Gas segment distributes natural gas through natural gas distribution facilities in the states of Illinois, Georgia, Virginia, New Jersey, Florida, Tennessee, and Maryland.

The company was founded on November 9, 1945, and is headquartered in Atlanta, GA.