Exhibit 99.02

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


In connection with the accompanying Annual Report on Form 10-K of The Southern
Company for the year ended December 31, 2002, I, Gale E. Klappa, Executive Vice
President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, hereby certify pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to the best of my knowledge and
belief, that:

(1)           such Annual Report on Form 10-K of The Southern Company for the
              year ended December 31, 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 Annual Report on Form 10-K of
              The Southern Company for the year ended December 31, 2002, fairly
              presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and
              results of operations of The Southern Company.


                                                    /s/Gale E. Klappa
                                                      Gale E. Klappa
                                                Executive Vice President,
                                         Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Date:  March 7, 2003