Exhibit 4.7-B


                              CERTIFICATE OF TRUST
                                       OF
                       SOUTHERN COMPANY CAPITAL TRUST VIII


         THIS CERTIFICATE OF TRUST of Southern Company Capital Trust VIII (the
"Trust"), dated June 16, 1999, is being duly executed and filed by the
undersigned, as trustee of the Trust, to form a business trust under the
Delaware Business Trust Act (12 Del. C. Section 3801, et seq.).

         1. Name. The name of the business trust being formed hereby is Southern
Company Capital Trust VIII.

         2. Delaware Trustee. The name and business address of the trustee of
the Trust with a principal place of business in the State of Delaware are
Bankers Trust (Delaware), E.A. Delle Donne Corporate Center, Montgomery
Building, 1011 Centre Road, Suite 200, Wilmington, Delaware 19805-1266.

         3. Effective Date. This Certificate of Trust shall be effective as of
its filing.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the sole trustee of the
Trust, has executed this Certificate of Trust as of the date first above
written.


                        BANKERS TRUST (DELAWARE), not in its
                        individual capacity but solely as Delaware Trustee


                        By:      /s/M. Lisa Wilkins
                                 M. Lisa Wilkins
                                 Assistant Secretary