10-KPeriod: FY2023

SOUTHERN CO Annual Report, Year Ended Dec 31, 2023

Filed February 15, 2024For Securities:SOSOJESOJFSOJCSOJDSOMN

Summary

Southern Company (SO) operates as a holding company with diversified energy services, primarily through its regulated electric utilities (Alabama Power, Georgia Power, Mississippi Power) and its natural gas distribution segment (Southern Company Gas). The company reported a consolidated net income of $4.0 billion in 2023, an increase of 12.8% from the previous year, driven by lower non-fuel operating expenses, improved retail electric revenues due to rate increases, and reduced income tax expenses. Key drivers for this performance included rate adjustments at Alabama Power and Georgia Power, while Southern Company Gas saw increased net income primarily due to a prior year impairment charge. Southern Company continues to invest significantly in its construction programs, with an estimated $10 billion allocated for 2024 across new generation, environmental compliance, and infrastructure upgrades. A major focus remains the completion of Plant Vogtle Unit 4, with projected in-service dates during the second quarter of 2024. The company also highlighted its ongoing commitment to reducing GHG emissions, with an intermediate goal of a 50% reduction from 2007 levels by 2030 and a long-term goal of net zero by 2050, supported by investments in low-carbon and carbon-free resources.

Financial Highlights

45 data points
Beta

Revenue

$25.25B

Net Income

$3.98B

15.7% Net Margin

EPS (Diluted)

$3.62

Total Assets

$139.33B

Cash & Equivalents

$748.00M

Free Cash Flow

-$1.54B

Financial Statements
Beta
Revenue$25.25B
Operating Expenses$19.43B
Operating Income$5.83B
Net Income$3.98B
EPS (Basic)$3.64
EPS (Diluted)$3.62
Shares Outstanding (Basic)1.09B
Shares Outstanding (Diluted)1.10B

Key Highlights

  • 1Southern Company reported a consolidated net income of $4.0 billion in 2023, a 12.8% increase year-over-year, attributed to lower operating expenses and favorable rate adjustments.
  • 2The company's traditional electric operating companies (Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi Power) and Southern Company Gas benefited from approved rate increases and infrastructure investment recovery.
  • 3Plant Vogtle Unit 4 is nearing completion, with projected commercial operation in the second quarter of 2024, marking a significant milestone for Georgia Power and the overall system.
  • 4Southern Company's construction program for 2024 is substantial, with approximately $10 billion allocated for new generation, environmental compliance, and transmission/distribution system improvements.
  • 5The company is actively pursuing its environmental sustainability goals, with GHG emissions reduced by 49% from 2007 levels (preliminary 2023 data), and is on track to achieve its 2030 interim goal.
  • 6Southern Power continues to expand its generation portfolio, particularly in renewable energy projects, securing new Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) to support its growth strategy.
  • 7Southern Company Gas faced regulatory scrutiny in Illinois regarding capital investment disallowances, impacting Nicor Gas, but also secured base rate increases in Illinois and improved customer growth in its gas marketing services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Southern Company reported a consolidated net income of $4.0 billion in 2023, a 12.8% increase compared to 2022. This improvement was driven by lower non-fuel operating and maintenance costs, higher retail electric revenues due to rate increases, reduced income tax expenses, and a decrease in after-tax charges related to Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4. Southern Company Gas also contributed to the net income growth.

Southern Company has a substantial construction program planned for 2024, with an estimated $10 billion allocated. This includes investments in new generation facilities ($1.1 billion), environmental compliance ($0.1 billion), generation maintenance ($1.3 billion), transmission ($1.7 billion), distribution ($1.7 billion), nuclear fuel ($0.3 billion), and general plant costs ($1.6 billion). Southern Company Gas also plans significant investments ($1.8 billion) in infrastructure improvements.

Plant Vogtle Unit 4 is in the final stages of construction and start-up testing. Georgia Power, which holds a 45.7% ownership interest, expects Unit 4 to be placed in service during the second quarter of 2024. The unit achieved initial criticality on February 14, 2024, and is undergoing pre-operational testing.

Southern Company is committed to reducing GHG emissions, with an intermediate goal of a 50% reduction from 2007 levels by 2030 and a long-term goal of net zero by 2050. The company is achieving this through fleet transition, investments in low-carbon and carbon-free resources, and energy efficiency initiatives. The company also detailed significant expenditures for environmental compliance, particularly related to Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) rule and potential GHG regulations.

Key risks mentioned include utility regulatory and legislative changes, operational risks related to plant operations and cybersecurity, financial and economic risks tied to market prices and interest rates, construction risks for major projects like Plant Vogtle, and supply chain disruptions and inflation impacting operations. The company also noted workforce factors and shareholder activism as potential risks.