The Alabama Rural Electric Association of Cooperatives (AREA) is a member-owned federation of 22 electric distribution cooperatives. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is a member of AREA and serves as wholesale power supplier to eight member cooperatives located in the northern part of Alabama. PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, also a member of AREA, provides wholesale power to 12 member cooperatives in the central and southern sections of Alabama. Southern Power also supplies wholesale power to Alabama cooperatives.