Florida Power & Light begins constructing four new solar plants

Florida Power & Light Company announced the start of construction of its four newest solar power plants, continuing to build on the success of its affordable clean energy strategy that has helped Florida become a leader in clean energy while keeping customer bills among the lowest in America.

Today, FPL operates 14 major solar power plants and more than 200 smaller solar installations, totaling more than 935 megawatts of universal solar capacity currently powering customers. The four new plants, which are expected to be operational by early 2019, are:

• FPL Interstate Solar Energy Center, St. Lucie County
• FPL Miami-Dade Solar Energy Center, Miami-Dade County
• FPL Pioneer Trail Solar Energy Center, Volusia County
• FPL Sunshine Gateway Solar Energy Center, Columbia County

“Florida is leading the nation in implementing solar energy affordably,” said Eric Silagy, FPL’s president and CEO. “FPL is among the cleanest energy providers in the nation not because of governmental mandates or requirements, but because we’ve been committed to making smart investments in clean energy technologies for years. And we’ve proven that it’s possible to be both clean and reliable while keeping our customers’ electric bills among the lowest in the nation.”

According to a recent report from GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association, Florida has installed more solar capacity in 2018 than any other state except one.

One of the cleanest electric companies in the nation, FPL projects that solar will outpace coal and oil combined as a percentage of the company’s energy mix by the year 2020. FPL is aiming to have approximately 10 million solar panels in operation by 2022 and will be more than halfway to its goal once these four newest plants are completed.

Each of the four new solar plants will have a capacity of 74.5 MW for a total of nearly 300 MW. In addition to the enormous environmental benefits, FPL’s four new solar power plants are expected to produce estimated net lifetime savings of more than $40 million for FPL customers through fuel and other savings.

FPL Interstate Solar Energy Center

The newest solar power plant coming to St. Lucie County will join three others along the Treasure Coast that began serving FPL customers earlier this year – the FPL Loggerhead Solar Energy Center (St. Lucie County); FPL Indian River Solar Energy Center (Indian River County); and FPL Blue Cypress Solar Energy Center (Indian River County).

“Expanding solar energy in St. Lucie County is a big win for our residents,” said Peter Tesch, president of the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County. “It is a great way to utilize the land due to its environmentally friendly attributes. Our residents will benefit from the clean energy generated right here in our county.”

FPL Miami-Dade Solar Energy Center

FPL plans to add more than 1 million solar panels across Miami-Dade in the coming years, starting with the FPL Miami-Dade Solar Energy Center located off Krome Avenue in southwest Miami-Dade County.

“I am proud to have Miami-Dade County partner with Florida Power & Light to bring clean, renewable solar energy to South Florida,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. “Miami-Dade County is committed to a clean and sustainable future for all of our residents and this is another step in the right direction toward resiliency.”

FPL Pioneer Trail Solar Energy Center

Known for its beaches and Daytona International Speedway (where FPL operates one of the largest solar installations at any sporting venue in the U.S.), Volusia County will soon be home to a new 74.5-megawatt solar power plant.

“FPL’s installation of this new solar energy center in Volusia County moves us closer toward our Sustainability Action Plan goals,” said Katrina Locke, the county’s sustainability and natural resources director. “Renewable energy is a great way to help reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and protect our natural resources in Volusia County for future generations.”

FPL Sunshine Gateway Solar Energy Center

Located near the intersection of Interstates 10 and 75 near Florida’s northern border, the FPL Sunshine Gateway Solar Energy Center will give residents and visitors traveling these roads a glimpse of a major solar energy operation at work. Once completed, the solar energy center will be visible from Interstate 75 southbound and Interstate 10 westbound.

“Columbia County is proud to join FPL’s growing fleet of solar power plants. The economic boost from this project will be felt across the county in the form of jobs and additional tax revenues for our area,” said Glenn Hunter, executive director of economic development for Columbia County.

News item from Florida Power & Light Company