Southern Pine Electric Cooperative
Southern Pine Electric Cooperative is a not-for-profit, member-owned rural electric distribution cooperative founded in 1938, serving 21,144 accounts across 3,314 miles of line in five southwest Alabama counties through community-led engagement and member programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1938
- HeadquartersBrewton, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Southern Pine Electric Cooperative does
Southern Pine Electric Cooperative is a not-for-profit, member-owned rural electric distribution cooperative headquartered in Brewton, Alabama, serving 21,144 member accounts across 3,314 miles of distribution line in portions of five southwest Alabama counties (Baldwin, Conecuh, Covington, Escambia, and Monroe). Founded on August 23, 1938, under the Rural Electrification Administration framework, the cooperative distributes electricity purchased wholesale from PowerSouth Energy Cooperative and operates four district offices (Brewton headquarters, Atmore, Evergreen, and Frisco City). The core product is electric distribution service, priced via a monthly facility charge ($16/month) plus consumption-based energy charges, with a $5 membership fee, a $28 connection fee, and credit-check-based deposits ($0, $200, or $300) on the standard monthly billing plan, alongside a $50-deposit Pre-Pay alternative.
The cooperative's product surface extends beyond basic distribution to include digital self-service channels (iOS/Android mobile apps, an online billing portal, and a Quick Pay feature), a Pre-Pay metering program, Green Power Choice renewable energy support, member-priced surge protection hardware, free home energy audits, a Solar Calculator, an Electric Vehicle resource suite, and a Distributive Generation application process for member-owned solar and wind systems. Underlying technology is conventional utility infrastructure (power lines, transformers, meters) augmented by a customer-facing web portal at billing.southernpine.org; no AI/ML, proprietary platforms, or APIs are disclosed. Member financing is offered through a Heat Pump Loan program in partnership with Regions Bank and PowerSouth Energy Cooperative.
Southern Pine's go-to-market is community-led, anchored by an elected nine-person board of directors representing geographic districts, an Annual Membership Meeting drawing more than 3,000 attendees, the Member Task Force program (operating 44+ years with over 600 couples participating), Youth Tours to Montgomery and Washington D.C., an Electric Cooperative Foundation Scholarship program awarding $1,000 to 20 graduating seniors per year, Operation Round-Up charitable giving (averaging about $6 per member per year through the Southern Pine Electric Trust), and a Co-op Connections discount program with 40+ partner businesses. Marketing channels include the Alabama Living magazine, Facebook, and Touchstone Energy Cooperative national branding. The customer base is segmented primarily into residential member-owners (the primary segment) and commercial/industrial non-residential members, with a horizontal segmentation approach and pricing varying by service type and class.
Southern Pine Electric Cooperative firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Southern Pine Electric Cooperative
- Legal name
- Southern Pine Electric Cooperative
- Website
- https://southernpine.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1938
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Southern Pine Electric Cooperative is a not-for-profit, member-owned rural electric distribution cooperative founded in 1938, serving 21,144 accounts across 3,314 miles of line in five southwest Alabama counties through community-led engagement and member programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Southern Pine Electric Cooperative industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Rural Electric Distribution Utility
- NAICS
- Electric Power Distribution (221122), Electric Power Transmission, Control, and Distribution (22112)
- SIC
- Electric Services (4911), Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Electric Cooperatives (Rural/Member-Owned Utilities) (EUADABAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Electric Distribution System Owners (Wires-Only Companies) (EUADABAI), Distributed Generation (DG) Solar & Small Wind (EUAMAJAD)
Keywords
Where Southern Pine Electric Cooperative is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Brewton
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Southern Pine Electric Cooperative business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Electric Distribution Service: Core revenue from providing electric distribution service to over 21,000 residential and commercial member accounts. Revenue generated through facility charges ($16/month), energy consumption charges, and various service fees including connection fees ($28) and membership fees ($5).
- Service Connection and Facilities: One-time and recurring charges for new service connections, facility charges, line extensions, and security light rentals.
- Member Programs: Heat pump loan program facilitated through partnership with Regions Bank and PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, generating interest income from affordable financing.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Monthly Billing - Residential |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Pre-Pay Program |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Underground Trenching - All Electric Residence |
| Subscription | Monthly | Security Lights |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Surge Protection Equipment |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Southern Pine Electric Cooperative product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Southern Pine Electric Cooperative distributes electricity to over 21,000 member accounts across portions of five southwest Alabama counties via 3,314 miles of distribution line. Member-facing programs include Pre-Pay metering, Green Power Choice renewables, surge protection equipment, free home energy audits, electric vehicle resources, a solar calculator, Distributive Generation interconnection for member solar/wind, and a Heat Pump Loan program in partnership with Regions Bank and PowerSouth Energy Cooperative.
Product overview
Southern Pine Electric Cooperative operates as a not-for-profit, member-owned electric distribution utility serving over 21,000 accounts across five Alabama counties. The cooperative's core product is electricity distribution, supported by digital self-service platforms including a customer billing portal, Quick Pay feature, and mobile app. Member-facing programs include Pre-Pay metering, Green Power Choice renewable energy support, Surge Protection Equipment sales, free Energy Audits, a Solar Calculator tool, and Electric Vehicle resources. Financial assistance programs include the Heat Pump Loan (offered with Regions Bank) and Operation Round-Up charitable giving. Community programs encompass Youth Tours to Montgomery and Washington D.C., Scholarships through the ECF program, and the Co-op Connections discount card program. Infrastructure services include Distributive Generation support for member-owned solar and wind systems.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Electric Distribution Service Core electricity distribution service providing reliable power to more than 21,000 member accounts across portions of five southwest Alabama counties via 3,314 miles of distribution line, with a $5 one-time membership fee, $28 connection fee, credit-check-based deposit, and $16/month facility charge plus energy consumption charges.
- Pre-Pay Program Prepaid electricity program allowing members to pay for electricity in advance of usage with a $50 deposit and $50 electric credit upon enrollment, eliminating the need for monthly billing cycles.
- Green Power Choice Renewable energy program allowing members to support and pay a premium for renewable generation sources feeding the cooperative's power supply.
- Surge Protection Equipment Physical surge suppressor products sold to members: meter socket suppressors ($125 installed on 200-320 amp meters), multimedia power strips ($68), two-outlet suppressors ($50), compact single suppressors ($15), and two-outlet plug-in suppressors with video ($57).
- Home Energy Audits Free in-home energy audits performed by Member Services to identify energy efficiency improvements and cost-saving opportunities for residential members.
- Distributive Generation (Member-Owned Solar/Wind Interconnection) Grid interconnection program for member-owned distributed generation systems (rooftop solar and wind), with application packets available for download and bi-directional metering to credit members for excess generation.
- Heat Pump Loan Program Affordable fixed-rate financing for heat pumps and weatherization improvements offered in partnership with Regions Bank and PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, with low annual interest rates for member energy efficiency upgrades.
- Electric Vehicle Program Educational and planning resources for members on EV adoption, including charging cost calculators, available EV models, and applicable federal, state, and local incentives.
Quantifiable outcome
- Serving over 21,144 accounts across 3,314 miles of line in 5 southwest Alabama counties since 1938
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Southern Pine Electric Cooperative
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Southern Pine Electric Cooperative technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Southern Pine Electric Cooperative partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- PowerSouth Energy CooperativecorePowerSouth Energy Cooperative serves as the generation and transmission facility for Southern Pine. The relationship provides wholesale power supply and economic development partnership. Southern Pine has a strong relationship with PowerSouth's economic development representatives.
- Touchstone Energy CooperativescoreNational network of electric cooperatives providing resources, brand identity, and partnership leverage. Southern Pine is one of more than 700 Touchstone Energy Co-ops in 46 states. The network delivers power and energy solutions to more than 22 million members.
- Regions BankminorPartnership providing affordable financing for heat pumps and weatherization through the Heat Pump Loan program. Low annual interest rates offered to members for energy efficiency improvements.
- D.W. McMillan HospitalminorProvides free health fair services at the Annual Membership Meeting including blood pressure checks, AccuChecks, glucose and cholesterol testing vouchers.
- Alabama Development Office (ADO)minorState-level economic development organization that Southern Pine monitors through PowerSouth partnership to stay informed on industrial development opportunities.
- Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA)minorState economic and community affairs organization that Southern Pine monitors for development activities in their service area.
- Electric Cooperative Foundation Scholarship ProgramminorFoundation created by Alabama electric cooperatives in 1997 providing scholarships for dependents of member cooperatives. Southern Pine awards 20 scholarships of $1,000 annually through this program.
- Co-op Connections Program Partnersminor40+ local and national businesses participate in the Co-op Connections discount program offering savings on products, services, and prescriptions to member cardholders.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Southern Pine Electric Cooperative competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- PowerSouth Energy Cooperative: PowerSouth Energy Cooperative is the generation-and-transmission partner that supplies wholesale power to Southern Pine and several other Alabama distribution co-ops. Operating under the same Touchstone/RUS cooperative framework, it is the most directly comparable Alabama-based electric cooperative entity engaged with Southern Pine's operations.
- Joe Wheeler Electric Membership Corporation: Joe Wheeler EMC is a member-owned distribution electric cooperative serving north Alabama under a similar RUS/Touchstone framework. While larger in meter count, it is a directly analogous rural distribution co-op with overlapping technology stack (online portal, prepaid programs, energy audits, surge protection).
- Cullman Electric Cooperative: Cullman Electric Cooperative is an Alabama Touchstone Energy distribution co-op providing electric service to residential and commercial members. It operates with the same cooperative governance model, member programs, and SmartHub-style self-service portal as Southern Pine.
- Baldwin County Electric Membership Corporation: Baldwin EMC is a distribution electric cooperative serving Baldwin County and adjacent areas in southwest Alabama - overlapping Southern Pine's service territory in Baldwin County. It is the most geographically proximate direct distribution peer.
- Tombigbee Electric Cooperative: Tombigbee Electric Cooperative is a rural distribution co-op serving parts of northwest Alabama. It is comparable in size and structure to Southern Pine and operates within the PowerSouth/statewide co-op ecosystem.
- Clarke-Washington Electric Membership Corporation: Clarke-Washington EMC is a southwest Alabama distribution electric cooperative with a comparable rural service profile and member-owned Touchstone Energy structure identical to Southern Pine's.
- Pea River Electric Cooperative: Pea River Electric Cooperative is a southeast Alabama Touchstone Energy distribution co-op with similar rural cooperative characteristics, member programs, and rural electric distribution infrastructure comparable to Southern Pine's.
- Central Alabama Electric Cooperative: Central Alabama Electric Cooperative is a member-owned distribution cooperative providing electric service across central Alabama counties, operating with the same co-op governance and Touchstone Energy affiliation as Southern Pine.
- Black Warrior Electric Membership Corporation: Black Warrior EMC is an Alabama rural distribution electric cooperative serving Tuscaloosa and surrounding counties. It is comparable to Southern Pine in scale, member-owned governance, and Touchstone Energy/Touchstone-aligned programs.
Others
- National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA): NRECA is the national trade association representing 900+ member-owned electric co-ops including Southern Pine. It is the closest industry-body peer and provides governance, advocacy, and operational resources consumed by Southern Pine and similar distribution co-ops.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Southern Pine Electric Cooperative social profiles
Digital presenceSouthern Pine Electric Cooperative financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Southern Pine Electric Cooperative leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles16 records
Southern Pine Electric Cooperative funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Southern Pine Electric Cooperative M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Southern Pine Electric Cooperative
What does Southern Pine Electric Cooperative do?
Southern Pine Electric Cooperative distributes electricity to over 21,000 member accounts across portions of five southwest Alabama counties via 3,314 miles of distribution line. Member-facing programs include Pre-Pay metering, Green Power Choice renewables, surge protection equipment, free home energy audits, electric vehicle resources, a solar calculator, Distributive Generation interconnection for member solar/wind, and a Heat Pump Loan program in partnership with Regions Bank and PowerSouth Energy Cooperative.
Is Southern Pine Electric Cooperative a public or private company?
Southern Pine Electric Cooperative is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Southern Pine Electric Cooperative founded?
Southern Pine Electric Cooperative was founded in 1938. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Southern Pine Electric Cooperative based?
Southern Pine Electric Cooperative is headquartered in Brewton, United States, in the North America region.
How does Southern Pine Electric Cooperative make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Electric Distribution Service is the primary driver. The others are service Connection and Facilities and member Programs.
Who are Southern Pine Electric Cooperative's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, Joe Wheeler Electric Membership Corporation, Cullman Electric Cooperative, Baldwin County Electric Membership Corporation, Tombigbee Electric Cooperative, Clarke-Washington Electric Membership Corporation, Pea River Electric Cooperative, Central Alabama Electric Cooperative and Black Warrior Electric Membership Corporation. National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) is listed as an others.
Does Southern Pine Electric Cooperative have an API?
No public API is recorded for Southern Pine Electric Cooperative.
What industry is Southern Pine Electric Cooperative in?
Southern Pine Electric Cooperative's product category is Rural Electric Distribution Utility. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUADABAC, Electric Cooperatives (Rural/Member-Owned Utilities), with a secondary code of EUADABAI, Electric Distribution System Owners (Wires-Only Companies). Its NAICS code is 221122 and its SIC code is 4911.