Mississippi Power, Southern Company receive EEI award for Puerto Rico assistance

Mississippi Power – and the Southern Company system – continue to be recognized for their work in restoring power to Puerto Rico.  This week, Edison Electric Institute (EEI), the association that represents all U.S. investor-owned electric companies, honored the company at the organization’s Annual Convention in San Diego with its 2018 Emergency Assistance Award for Puerto Rico Power restoration following Hurricane Maria.

“The power restoration effort in Puerto Rico was a massive and unprecedented mission, and electric companies from across the country, including Mississippi Power, responded to the call for help,” said EEI President Tom Kuhn. “The electric power industry pulled together with one goal in mind, to restore power to the people of Puerto Rico – it truly was one team, one mission. Mississippi Power is deserving of this recognition for providing tremendous support to PREPA and our fellow citizens in Puerto Rico.”

To kick-off the Annual Convention, workers from utilities across the country were honored on the field at a San Diego Padres baseball game.  Kevin Eleuterius, a lead lineman in the Coast division, who played a significant role as part of the 10-man crew on the island from Mississippi Power, represented the company.

“Having the opportunity to join our sister companies, and utilities across the country, for this event – and sharing our experiences in Puerto Rico – was incredibly meaningful,” said Eleuterius. “Making a difference, and having the opportunity to help those in need, is something that I will never forget and I am grateful that Mississippi Power answered the call.”

Following Hurricane Maria, at least 80 percent of Puerto Rico’s energy grid was devastated, leaving all island residents without power. Today, Puerto Rico now has power to more than 99 percent of the island, and our crews were there assisting with much of the restoration process.

Nearly 60 investor-owned electric companies and public power utilities committed crews, equipment, and/or materials to the emergency power restoration mission. Overall, approximately 3,000 industry line workers and support personnel from across the country were involved in the restoration effort on the island.

Mississippi Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), produces safe, reliable and environmentally responsible energy for more than 187,000 customers in 23 southeast Mississippi counties. With nearly 160 megawatts of approved solar energy capacity, Mississippi Power is the largest partner in providing renewable energy in the state of Mississippi. Visit our website at mississippipower.com, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and YouTube.

###