The Southern Company (SO) Form 4 SOUTHERN / Shantella E. Cooper ownership change

POWER OF ATTORNEY

The undersigned, a director of The Southern Company, hereby makes, constitutes, and appoints Myra C. Bierria, Lindsay T. McClelland, Brittney Henry and J. Patrick Becker, my agents and attorneys-in-fact, for the limited purpose of signing on my behalf, and causing to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission Form ID and Initial Statement of Beneficial Ownership of Securities, Statement of Changes in Beneficial Ownership, and Annual Statement of Changes in Beneficial Ownership, on Forms 3, 4, and 5, respectively, and any appropriate amendment or amendments thereto.

This power of attorney shall remain in effect until my obligation to file the aforementioned reports as a director of The Southern Company ceases, unless earlier revoked by me by written document delivered to the Corporate Secretary of The Southern Company.

Effective the 15 th day of July, 2024.