Exhibit 99.01

                    CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                       PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350


In connection with the accompanying Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Gulf Power
Company for the quarter ended September 30, 2002, I, Thomas A. Fanning,
President and Chief Executive Officer, hereby certify pursuant to Section 906 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to the best of my knowledge and belief, that:

         (1)      such Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Gulf Power Company for
                  the quarter ended September 30, 2002, which this statement
                  accompanies, fully complies with the requirements of Section
                  13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

         (2)      the information contained in such Quarterly Report on Form
                  10-Q of Gulf Power Company for the quarter ended September 30,
                  2002, fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial
                  condition and results of operations of Gulf Power Company.


                              /s/Thomas A. Fanning
                                 Thomas A. Fanning
                                 President and Chief Executive Officer

Date:  November 12, 2002