Leroy, Ala. – PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, a generation & transmission cooperative serving Pioneer Electric’s wholesale power needs, officially dedicated the state-of-the-art Lowman Energy Center (LEC) in a special ceremony on March 22. 

The 710-megawatt natural gas facility near Leroy, Ala., began commercial operation on Sept. 20, 2023. 

“LEC is one of the most efficient power plants in the country, using state-of-the-art technology to produce electricity that is both affordable and reliable,” said Tom Duncan, Chairman of the PowerSouth Board of Trustees and Pioneer Electric District 4 Trustee. “LEC is a symbol of the future – a wonder of modern technology – generating power more efficiently than ever before.”

PowerSouth President & CEO Gary Smith said the plant will be a workhorse in supporting the cooperative’s mission to provide reliable and affordable power to its members.  

Collectively, PowerSouth provides power to Pioneer Electric and 19 other distribution members, and these members supply safe, reliable, affordable power to more than a million end-of-line members.