Southern Company subsidiary to develop site in Pittsylvania County

Southern Company, based in Atlanta, said Tuesday that subsidiary Southern Power is in the preliminary phase of developing land for a natural gas generating facility in Pittsylvania County in southern Virginia.

As part of Southern Power's strategic plan to secure potential generation sites, the company signed a purchase and sale agreement option in June with the Danville-Pittsylvania Regional Industrial Facility Authority (RIFA) for 300 acres of land in Berry Hill Industrial Park.

“This is an early step in a lengthy process as we evaluate opportunities that align with our low-risk business model,” Southern Power CEO Buzz Miller, said in a statement. “Southern Power is committed to acquiring and constructing generating assets substantially covered by long-term contracts, and we believe southern Virginia could be a good fit for our strategic expansion.”

Berry Hill Industrial Park is more than 3,500 acres of publicly owned land, making it the largest in the state and the fifth largest on the East Coast. While still in development, the park is divided into 13 parcels ranging from 98 to 1,296 acres.

“Berry Hill Industrial Park was specifically developed for these types of large projects,” said RIFA and Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jessie Barksdale. “This project has the potential to represent the largest single private investment ever in Pittsylvania County.”

Additionally, the project could generate jobs and economic resources for Virginia and surrounding areas.
“We are excited about the potential to partner with a company that has such a reputation as Southern Power,” said RIFA Vice Chairman Sherman Saunders.

Southern Power continues to grow its portfolio of more than 10,800 megawatts (MW) through the acquisition and development of clean energy solutions. It owns  and operates nine combined-cycle and combustion-turbine natural gas-fueled power plants that generate more than 8,000 MW across four states.