SOUTHERN COMPANY
Southern Company subsidiary's Garland Solar Facility in California begins operation

Southern Company subsidiary Southern Power and Recurrent Energy, a subsidiary of Canadian Solar Inc., announced the commercial operation of the 200-megawatt (MW) Garland Solar Facility in California.

"We are excited to see this facility help meet the energy needs of our wholesale customers," said Southern Power President and CEO Buzz Miller. "The Garland Solar Facility adds to our growing list of renewable achievements in 2016 and is an important piece of our solar portfolio."

Southern Power has announced, acquired or is constructing more than 2,700 MW of renewable generation ownership with 33 solar, wind and biomass projects, including 11 solar projects in California. In all, the Southern Company system has added or announced more than 4,000 MW of renewable energy projects since 2012.

Southern Power is the majority owner of the Garland Solar Facility. Recurrent Energy managed the development of the project and owns the remaining interest. Construction of the facility began in November 2015 on 2,000 acres of land in Kern County, California.

"The completion of the Garland Solar Facility is testament to Southern Power and Recurrent Energy's strong partnership," said Dr. Shawn Qu, chairman and CEO of Canadian Solar Inc. "It has been a historic year for the Recurrent Energy team with 1.2 gigawatts of utility-scale solar projects under construction."

The Garland Solar Facility adds to Southern Company's robust renewable energy portfolio and fits Southern Power's business strategy of growing its wholesale business through the acquisition and construction of generating assets substantially covered by long-term contracts.

The electricity and associated renewable energy credits (RECs) generated by the facility are being sold under two long-term power purchase agreements with Southern California Edison, which will have the option to keep or sell the RECs.

About Southern Power

Southern Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company, is a leading U.S. wholesale energy provider meeting the electricity needs of municipalities, electric cooperatives, investor-owned utilities and other energy customers serving millions of end users. Southern Power and its subsidiaries own or have the rights to 43 facilities operating or under construction in 11 states with more than 12,000 MW of generating capacity in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Texas.

About Southern Company

Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is America's premier energy company, with 44,000 MW of generating capacity and 1,500 billion cubic feet of combined natural gas consumption and throughput volume serving 9 million electric and gas utility customers through its subsidiaries. The company provides clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy through electric utilities in four states, natural gas distribution utilities in seven states, a competitive generation company serving wholesale customers across America and a nationally recognized provider of customized energy solutions, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications. Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and affordable prices that are below the national average. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, Southern Company and its subsidiaries are inventing America's energy future by developing the full portfolio of energy resources, including carbon-free nuclear, 21^st century coal, natural gas, renewables and energy efficiency, and creating new products and services for the benefit of customers. Southern Company has been named by the U.S. Department of Defense and G.I. Jobs magazine as a top military employer, recognized among the Top 50 Companies for Diversity by DiversityInc, listed by Black Enterprise magazine as one of the 40 Best Companies for Diversity and designated a Top Employer for Hispanics by Hispanic Network. The company has earned a National Award of Nuclear Science and History from the National Atomic Museum Foundation for its leadership and commitment to nuclear development 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.

Cautionary Notes Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

Certain information contained in this release is forward-looking information based on current expectations and plans that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information includes, among other things, statements concerning the operation of the Garland Solar Facility and the future generating capacity of Southern Power and its subsidiaries' facilities. Southern Company and Southern Power caution that there are certain factors that can cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information that has been provided. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is not a guarantee of future performance and is subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of Southern Company and Southern Power; accordingly, there can be no assurance that such suggested results will be realized. The following factors, in addition to those discussed in each of Southern Company's and Southern Power's Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, and subsequent securities filings, could cause actual results to differ materially from management expectations as suggested by such forward-looking information: the ability to control costs and avoid cost overruns during the development and construction of generating facilities, to construct facilities in accordance with the requirements of permits and licenses, and to satisfy any operational and environmental performance standards, including the requirements of tax credits and other incentives; and potential business strategies, including acquisitions or dispositions of assets or businesses, which cannot be assured to be completed or beneficial to Southern Company or Southern Power. Southern Company and Southern Power expressly disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking information.