Southern Company: 10-K Risk Factor Changes

The traditional electric operating companies and Southern Power each engage in a long-term planning process to estimate the optimal mix and timing of new generation assets required to serve future load obligations. Southern Company Gas engages in a long-term planning process to estimate the optimal mix and timing of building new pipelines, replacing existing pipelines, and entering new markets and/or expanding in existing markets. These planning processes must project many years into the future to accommodate the long lead times associated with the permitting and construction of new generation and associated transmission facilities and natural gas distribution facilities. Inherent risk exists in predicting demand as future loads are dependent on many uncertain factors, including economic conditions, customer usage patterns, efficiency programs, and customer technology adoption. The traditional electric operating companies are experiencing projected demand that exceeds recent experience, creating the need for new power generating resources and transmission facilities. The majority of this demand is driven by the power needs and projected power needs of data centers to serve an increasingly digital economy and to support artificial intelligence. Other demands are coming from new industrial facilities with advanced manufacturing processes for such products as electric vehicles and batteries. Ensuring that incremental revenues from these projected new demands cover incremental costs and risks will be critical to continuing the traditional electric operating companies' value proposition to customers. The new nature of these industries, additional capital spending needs, and uncertainties on the actual capacity required to satisfy the projected new demands of these new industries may impact the traditional electric operating companies. Because regulators may not permit the traditional electric operating companies or the natural gas distribution utilities to adjust rates to recover the costs of new generation and associated transmission assets and/or new pipelines and related infrastructure in a timely manner or at all, these subsidiaries may not be able to fully recover these costs or may have exposure to regulatory lag associated with the time between the incurrence of costs and the recovery in regulated rates. In addition, under Southern Power's model of selling capacity and energy at negotiated market-based rates under long-term PPAs, Southern Power might not be able to fully execute its business plan if market prices drop below original forecasts. Southern Power and/or the traditional electric operating companies may not be able to extend or replace existing PPAs upon expiration, or they may be forced to market these assets at prices lower than originally expected. The traditional electric operating companies are currently obligated to supply power to retail customers, as well as wholesale customers under long-term PPAs. Southern Power is currently obligated to supply power to wholesale customers under long-term PPAs. At peak times, the demand for power required to meet obligations could exceed the Southern Company system's available generation capacity. Market or competitive forces may require that the traditional electric operating companies purchase capacity in the open market or build additional generation and transmission facilities and that Southern Power purchase energy or capacity in the open market. Because regulators may not permit the traditional electric operating companies to pass all of these purchase or construction costs on to their customers, the traditional electric operating companies may not be able to recover some or all of these costs or may have exposure to regulatory lag associated with the time between the I-25 I-25 I-25 Table of Contents Index to Financial Statements Table of Contents Index to Financial Statements incurrence of costs of purchased or constructed capacity and the traditional electric operating companies' recovery through regulated rates. Under Southern Power's long-term fixed price PPAs, Southern Power may not be able to recover all of these costs.

The traditional electric operating companies and Southern Power each engage in a long-term planning process to estimate the optimal mix and timing of new generation assets required to serve future load obligations. Southern Company Gas engages in a long-term planning process to estimate the optimal mix and timing of building new pipelines, replacing existing pipelines, and entering new markets and/or expanding in existing markets. These planning processes must project many years into the future to accommodate the long lead times associated with the permitting and construction of new generation and associated transmission facilities and natural gas distribution facilities. Inherent risk exists in predicting demand as future loads are dependent on many uncertain factors, including economic conditions, customer usage patterns, efficiency programs, and customer technology adoption. Because regulators may not permit the traditional electric operating companies or the natural gas distribution utilities to adjust rates to recover the costs of new generation and associated transmission assets and/or new pipelines and related infrastructure in a timely manner or at all, these subsidiaries may not be able to fully recover these costs or may have exposure to regulatory lag associated with the time between the incurrence of costs and the recovery in customers' rates. In addition, under Southern Power's model of selling capacity and energy at negotiated market-based rates under long-term PPAs, Southern Power might not be able to fully execute its business plan if market prices drop below original forecasts. Southern Power and/or the traditional electric operating companies may not be able to extend or replace existing PPAs upon expiration, or they may be forced to market these assets at prices lower than originally intended. The traditional electric operating companies are currently obligated to supply power to retail customers, as well as wholesale customers under long-term PPAs. Southern Power is currently obligated to supply power to wholesale customers under long-term PPAs. At peak times, the demand for power required to meet this obligation could exceed the Southern Company system's available generation capacity. Market or competitive forces may require that the traditional electric operating companies purchase capacity in the open market or build additional generation and transmission facilities and that Southern Power purchase energy or capacity in the open market. Because regulators may not permit the traditional electric operating companies I-24 I-24 I-24 Table of Contents Index to Financial Statements Table of Contents Index to Financial Statements to pass all of these purchase or construction costs on to their customers, the traditional electric operating companies may not be able to recover some or all of these costs or may have exposure to regulatory lag associated with the time between the incurrence of costs of purchased or constructed capacity and the traditional electric operating companies' recovery in customers' rates. Under Southern Power's long-term fixed price PPAs, Southern Power may not be able to recover all of these costs.

The Southern Company system's electric generation, transmission, and distribution and natural gas distribution and storage activities involve a variety of inherent hazards and operating risks, such as accidents, explosions, fires, mechanical problems, discharges or releases of toxic or hazardous substances or gases, and other environmental risks. These incidents could result in serious injury, loss of life, significant damage to property, environmental pollution, and disruption of the Southern Company system's operations. The location of electric generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure and natural gas pipelines and underground natural gas storage facilities near populated areas could increase the level of damage and liability resulting from any incidents. Additionally, electric generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure and natural gas pipelines and underground natural gas storage facilities are subject to various state and other regulatory requirements. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in substantial monetary penalties, which could exceed the amount of insurance coverage.

The Southern Company system's electric generation, transmission, and distribution and natural gas distribution and storage activities involve a variety of inherent hazards and operating risks, such as accidents, explosions, fires, mechanical problems, discharges or releases of toxic or hazardous substances or gases, and other environmental risks. These incidents could result in serious injury, loss of life, significant damage to property, environmental pollution, and disruption of the Southern Company system's operations. The location of electric generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure and natural gas pipelines and underground natural gas storage facilities near populated areas could increase the level of damage and liability resulting from any incidents. Additionally, electric generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure and natural gas pipelines and underground natural gas storage facilities are subject to various state and other regulatory requirements. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in substantial monetary penalties.

Activist shareholders could seek to engage in proxy solicitations, advance shareholder proposals, or otherwise attempt to assert influence on Southern Company's board of directors and management. Should such activity arise, it could result in substantial costs and divert management's and Southern Company's board's attention and resources. Additionally, such shareholder activism could give rise to perceived uncertainties as to Southern Company's future, adversely affect the Southern Company system's relationships with its employees, customers, regulators, or service providers, and make it more difficult to attract and retain qualified personnel. Southern Company's stock price could be subject to significant fluctuation or otherwise be adversely affected by the events, risks, and uncertainties of any shareholder activism. I-26 I-26 I-26 Table of Contents Index to Financial Statements Table of Contents Index to Financial Statements

Shareholder activism, which can take many forms and arise in a variety of situations, could result in substantial costs and divert management's and Southern Company's board's attention and resources. Additionally, such shareholder activism could give rise to perceived uncertainties as to Southern Company's future, adversely affect the Southern Company system's relationships with its employees, customers, regulators, or service providers, and make it more difficult to attract and retain qualified personnel. Also, Southern Company may be required to incur significant fees and other expenses related to activist shareholder matters, I-25 I-25 I-25 Table of Contents Index to Financial Statements Table of Contents Index to Financial Statements including for third-party advisors. Southern Company's stock price could be subject to significant fluctuation or otherwise be adversely affected by the events, risks, and uncertainties of any shareholder activism.

The Southern Company system's operations and business plans depend on the global supply chain to procure equipment, materials, and other resources. The delivery of components, materials, equipment, and other resources that are critical to the Southern Company system's operations has been impacted by domestic and global supply chain disruptions. Future pandemic health events or continued international tensions, including the ramifications of regional conflicts and any strained relationships between the United States and other countries related to such conflicts, such as those in Ukraine and the Middle East, and the impact of tariffs, could further exacerbate global supply chain disruptions. These disruptions and shortages could adversely impact business operations. The constraints in the supply chain also could restrict availability and delay construction, maintenance, or repair of items needed to support normal operations or to continue planned capital investments. Supply chain disruptions have contributed to higher prices of components, materials, equipment, and other needed commodities, and these inflationary increases may continue. Further inflation, a continued elevated interest rate environment, tariffs, or other economic factors may negatively affect operations and the timely recovery of costs.

The Southern Company system's operations and business plans depend on the global supply chain to procure equipment, materials, and other resources. The delivery of components, materials, equipment, and other resources that are critical to the Southern Company system's operations has been impacted by domestic and global supply chain disruptions. Future pandemic health events or continued international tensions, including the ramifications of regional conflicts, such as those in Ukraine and the Middle East, could further exacerbate global supply chain disruptions. These disruptions and shortages could adversely impact business operations. The constraints in the supply chain also could restrict availability and delay construction, maintenance, or repair of items needed to support normal operations or to continue planned capital investments. Supply chain disruptions have contributed to higher prices of components, materials, equipment, and other needed commodities, and these inflationary increases may continue. Further inflation, a continued elevated interest rate environment, or other economic factors may negatively affect operations and the timely recovery of costs.

Goodwill is evaluated for impairment annually or on an interim basis if changes in circumstances or the occurrence of events suggest impairment exists. If impairment testing indicates that the carrying amount of reporting units exceeds the respective fair value, an impairment charge would be recognized. If goodwill were to become impaired, the results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. At December 31, 2024, goodwill was $5.2 billion and $5.0 billion for Southern Company and Southern Company Gas, respectively. In addition, Southern Company and its subsidiaries have long-lived assets recorded on their balance sheets. Long-lived assets are assessed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset's carrying amount may not be recoverable. If impairment testing indicates that the carrying amount of the long-lived assets exceeds the respective fair value, an impairment charge would be recognized. See Notes 1 and 15 to the financial statements in Item 8 herein for information regarding certain impairment charges at Southern Company, Alabama Power, and Southern Company Gas.

Goodwill is not amortized, but is evaluated for impairment at least annually or more frequently if impairment indicators are present that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount and long-lived assets are tested for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that an asset group's carrying amount may not be recoverable. At December 31, 2023, goodwill was $5.2 billion and $5.0 billion for Southern Company and Southern Company Gas, respectively. In addition, Southern Company and its subsidiaries have long-lived assets recorded on their balance sheets. To the extent the carrying amount of goodwill or long-lived assets become impaired, the affected Registrant may be required to incur impairment charges that could have a material impact on their results of operations. See Notes 1, 7, 9, and 15 to the financial statements in Item 8 herein for information regarding certain impairment charges at Southern Company and Southern Company Gas.