The dividend is payable on September 6 to holders of the company’s common stock as at August 4.

This marks 267 quarters – dating back to 1948 – that Southern Company will have paid a dividend to its shareholders.

The company also recently passed two milestones at Kemper; to test the combined cycle unit and pressure testing of both gasifiers at the energy facility.

The facility aims to use clean coal technology to deliver safe, reliable, made-in-Mississippi electricity to Mississippi power customers.

The 582MW plant is due to start operation next year.

When fully operational, the Kemper combined-cycle power plant will use synthesis gas – converted from lignite – to generate electricity.

Recent testing of the combined cycle included running the unit using natural gas to show it could generate electricity.

It is planned to heat up the first gasifier this northern summer.

Before that can happen though, pneumatic pressure testing had to be done.

The tests ensured the safety of all of the gasifiers’ assembled parts, checked for leaks and ensured the gasifiers could handle the air and gas pressure of start-up.

The gasifiers were tested in May and June.

Kemper vice-president of generation development John Huggins said the combined cycle test was a “major accomplishment toward our goal of placing the combined cycle into service before the end of summer.

“We are committed to safely testing every piece of equipment on site and will continue to do so throughout the plant’s start-up phase.

“It puts us one step closer to bringing this innovative, 21st century coal project online for our customers.”