Southern Company is making another big acquisition. The Atlanta-based utility is buying PowerSecure International for $431 million.

PowerSecure makes emergency backup generators for data centers, hospitals, and grocery stores. It also manufactures energy efficient lights.

According to the News and Observer of Raleigh, the North Carolina-based company has doubled in size in recent years. CEO Sidney Hinton started his career at Southern Company in the early 80s. He and the rest of PowerSecure's management team will remain in place, when the deal closes later this year.

The utility says PowerSecure's products will help meet the future energy needs of its four and a half million customers from Georgia to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

This is Southern Company's second major deal in less than a year. It’s waiting for regulatory approval to buy natural gas services firm AGL Resources.

Tags: Southern Company, PowerSecure