PINE MOUNTAIN, Ga.,
May 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/
-- Thomas A. Fanning, chairman, president and CEO of Southern
Company, spoke today at the annual meeting of stockholders about
the importance of innovation and delivering the full energy
portfolio to meet the needs of customers.
Fanning's remarks expanded on three guiding principles:
- Strengthening an inventive culture
- Creating better ways to serve customers
- Remaining focused on innovating around the full portfolio of
energy resources
"At the foundation of Southern Company is our ability to develop
real, innovative solutions to shape America's energy future," said
Fanning. "Strengthening our inventive company culture by pioneering
new ideas and partnerships and developing the full portfolio of
energy resources is key to best meeting customers' evolving energy
needs."
During the meeting, Fanning announced that Southern Company has
reached an agreement with Tesla to test commercial-scale battery
storage. Bringing together two companies with a shared commitment
to innovation, the agreement will provide for the examination of
potential applications for the energy storage technology in helping
meet customers' energy needs.
Fanning also addressed the importance of innovation as part of
Southern Company's culture. He discussed the value of the full
portfolio – and the importance of delivering clean, safe, reliable
and affordable power to customers – to provide a step to reach
energy and economic security, which contribute to national
security.
Fanning highlighted the success of SO Prize, the company's
internal competition that sparked nearly 1,000 innovative ideas
from employees. He also spoke about Southern Company's development
of the Energy Innovation Center, which will serve as an incubator
for new products and services through strategic partnerships, as
well as the company's aspiration to eliminate all workplace
accidents.
A replay of the meeting will be available by May 28 here.
With more than 4.5 million customers and approximately 46,000
megawatts of generating capacity, Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is
the premier energy company serving the Southeast through its
subsidiaries. A leading U.S. producer of clean, safe, reliable and
affordable 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 energy innovation, excellent customer service,
high reliability and retail electric prices that are below the
national average. Southern Company and its subsidiaries are leading
the nation's nuclear renaissance through the construction of the
first new nuclear units to be built in a generation of Americans
and are demonstrating their commitment to energy innovation through
the development of a state-of-the-art coal gasification plant.
Southern Company has been recognized by the U.S. Department of
Defense and G.I. Jobs magazine as a
top military employer, listed by DiversityInc as a top company for
Blacks and designated a 2014 Top Employer for Hispanics by Hispanic
Network. The company received the Edison Award from the Edison
Electric Institute for its leadership in new nuclear development,
was named Electric Light & Power magazine's Utility of the Year
for 2012 and is continually ranked among the top utilities in
Fortune's annual World's Most Admired Electric and Gas
Utility rankings. Visit our website at
www.southerncompany.com.
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SOURCE Southern Company