[1] The chairman reports that while 2001 presented challenges from mild weather and a weak economy, the company delivered solid financial results including $1.12 billion in net income and 6.6% growth in earnings per share. [2] Key accomplishments in 2001 that positioned the company for continued success included focusing on their Southeast region after the Mirant spinoff, concluding major rate reviews with regulators, and strengthening executive management. [3] Going forward, the company will continue concentrating on their regulated utilities in the Southeast and growing their competitive generation business, which produces reliable returns. The outlook for 2002 and beyond remains excellent due to the company's strong fundamentals and focus on shareholders and customers.

1. LETTER TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS
on solid
ground
Allen Franklin Chairman, President, and CEO
Mild weather and a weak economy. These are words no one in our business likes
to hear. They are the words, though, that best describe the business environment
we faced in 2001. It challenged our ability to create value for our shareholders.
But I’m pleased to report that we rose to the challenge and delivered solid results.
Our results from continuing operations for 2001 position us as one of the industry’s
strongest performers. Net income for 2001 was $1.12 billion. Our earnings per share
of $1.62 represented a 6.6 percent increase from 2000 and exceeded both our own
target and the consensus expectations of analysts.
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2. Solid Performance competitive units is sold primarily under long-term contracts, so
Continued customer growth and significantly lower interest we are not subject to the degree of price volatility that has been
expenses offset the reduced demand for electricity caused by experienced elsewhere among independent power producers.
the weather and economy. We saw that our business model and For this business, we define the Southeast broadly to include
our employees can withstand negative factors and still produce several states beyond the area of our regulated retail business.
positive results. In the future, the scope of our wholesale business may very well
I’m especially pleased to report that our stock performed expand as attractive business opportunities arise. In any event,
well in 2001. From April 2, the date of the Mirant spinoff, through we expect future investments to have the low-risk characteris-
the end of the year, our shares gained almost 18 percent. We tics of our existing wholesale generation business.
maintained our annual dividend of $1.34 per share. The spinoff We also are encouraged by the progress of our new products
of Mirant unlocked real value for Southern Company sharehold- and services business. We’re off to a good start on our goal of
ers. On March 31, 2000, just before we announced plans to producing $50 million a year in earnings from new products and
spin off Mirant, Southern Company’s market value – including services by 2004. This business centers on the development of
our 100 percent ownership of Mirant – was $14.1 billion. At the products and services that are closely tied to our own energy
end of 2001, our market value – totally excluding Mirant – had expertise and marketed to our existing customer base but which
risen to $17.7 billion. produce revenues apart from our traditional kilowatt-hour sales.
There are some significant milestones from the past year I’d It’s a business with exciting potential to add to our growth.
like to mention. Each was important to our success during 2001
and also helped strengthen our foundation for ongoing success: Looking Ahead
• After the spinoff of Mirant, we turned our focus to the As in any year, there are challenges in 2002. Our plans assume
Southeast. Our strategy remains based here, in the region continued slow economic activity, at least through mid-year.
we know so well. We have demonstrated the flexibility to produce strong financial
• We successfully concluded major rate reviews by state results even in a slow economy. However, we hope to see better
regulators in Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. The out- economic times here and across the country soon.
comes provide, for several years, continued predictable We are working on the issue of establishing regional trans-
earnings from our regulated business. mission organizations, which would place the planning and
• We put in place an executive management team with extra- operation of the high-voltage transmission systems in the
ordinary depth of talent, leadership, experience, and under- Southeast in the hands of an independent operator. Our pro-
standing of the business. Our management team members posed Southeastern RTO would be one of the country’s largest.
have had success both in regulated and competitive energy And we believe its model is consistent with the key principles
markets. They share a common vision for our company as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is advocating.
well as my excitement about the opportunity to lead Southern The overall outlook for Southern Company is excellent.
Company to new heights. Our fundamentals are strong. Our region continues to grow.
Our management team is talented, motivated, and focused on
Sharp Focus keeping our commitments to shareholders and customers. And
Going forward, we will continue to concentrate on what we do we remain focused as well on our social and civic responsibilities,
best in the region we know best. This produced excellent results including the environment. We believe the pieces are in place
in 2001, and I am confident it is the right direction for the future. for success this year and beyond. That’s what we mean when
The backbone of our company will continue to be our regulated we say, ”We’re On.”
business in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi. It is Thank you for your continued support.
strong and it’s growing.
It is augmented by higher-growth competitive generation.
We are well on the way to meet our five-year goal of doubling
the annual earnings from this part of the business by 2005. Our
competitive generation business is structured to provide good Allen Franklin
returns with relatively low risk. The output from our well-run March 18, 2002
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