PETAL — Mississippi Power Co. has shut down a generating plant in Petal.

Mississippi Power says in a news release that Plant Eaton — named for the company’s first president, Barney E. Eaton Sr. — began operation in March of 1945.

Ed Day, president and CEO of Mississippi Power, says when the 67.5 megawatt plant began operation, Mississippi Power supplied electricity to about 40,000 customers. In 1945, electricity was utilized primarily for lights, radios and refrigeration.

Day says the need for electricity has dramatically changed and the number of Mississippi Power customers has increased more than four times to about 186,000 in 23 coastal, central and eastern counties.

Day says Plant Eaton will be replaced with a plant under construction in Kemper County. The Kemper plant is scheduled to be in operation in May of 2014.

Mississippi Power is a subsidiary of the Southern Company.