Southern Co boosts capital spending to meet data center demand despite missing profit forecasts
Southern Co increased its five-year spending plan to $81 billion to meet surging data center demand. It expects 2026 profit to be below analyst estimates.
Insights:
The Southern Company announced on February 19, 2026, that it has lowered its annual profit forecast below analysts' estimates while significantly increasing its long-term infrastructure budget. Operating in the US 
US, the utility provider raised its five-year capital spending plan from $76 billion to approximately $81 billion. This $5 billion increase is specifically allocated to support large-load customers, such as data centers, which are driving a surge in electricity demand across the region.
US, the utility provider raised its five-year capital spending plan from $76 billion to approximately $81 billion. This $5 billion increase is specifically allocated to support large-load customers, such as data centers, which are driving a surge in electricity demand across the region.
