Beatrice Lang
Florida is home to a variety of power plants, with most running on natural gas. The state also has two nuclear power plants, and the share of renewable energy in its total energy mix is about 6%. Florida's electric transmission grid is monitored by the Florida Reliability Coordinating Council, which faces the challenge of frequent hurricanes affecting transmission lines. Florida has several electric companies, including investor-owned, municipally-owned, and rural electric cooperatives, with Duke Energy and Florida Power and Light Company operating the largest solar power plants.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types of Power Plants | Natural gas, renewable energy, nuclear |
| Share of Natural Gas Power Plants | 76% |
| Share of Renewable Power Plants | 6% |
| Number of Nuclear Power Plants | 2 |
| Total Electricity Generation | 250 GWh |
| Monitoring Body | Florida Reliability Coordinating Council |
| Investor-Owned Electric Companies | Duke Energy, Florida Power and Light Company |
| Municipally-Owned Electric Companies | N/A |
| Rural Electric Cooperatives | Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc., Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative, Inc., Peace River Electric Cooperative, Inc., Seminole Electric Cooperative, Inc. |
| Energy Delivery Companies | Florida Public Utilities, Chesapeake Utilities Corporation |
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What You'll Learn
Florida's electric transmission grid reliability
Florida has several electric companies providing power to its residents, including Florida Public Utilities, Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc., Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative, Inc., and Florida Power & Light (FPL).
FPL, in particular, has been consistently ranked among the most reliable utilities in the nation. In an annual report filed with the Florida Public Service Commission, FPL delivered the best-ever performance in key industry metrics, including the average number of interruptions experienced by a customer and the average number of momentary interruptions or flickers.
FPL's reliability improvements are a result of its power grid investments and efforts to improve service, benefiting its nearly 6 million customers. The company has made significant investments in smart grid technology, installing more than 200,000 intelligent devices along the grid to detect and prevent power outages and minimize restoration times when outages occur. This technology has helped avoid over 13 million outages since 2011.
FPL has also expanded its Enhanced Performance Diagnostic Centers, where data from the grid is used to shorten and reduce the impact of power outages and prevent many potential outages before they occur. Additionally, FPL has installed 4.5 million smart meters in homes, empowering consumers to better understand and control their energy use.
FPL's commitment to delivering reliable service while managing costs is especially remarkable given Florida's severe weather and year-round growing cycle. The company has launched major investments in protecting the grid against extreme weather, including removing wooden transmission structures and replacing them with steel or concrete ones. FPL's efforts to strengthen the grid through smart investments and ongoing maintenance are making a noticeable difference for its customers.
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Florida's solar power plants
Florida is home to many electric companies, including Florida Public Utilities, Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc., and Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Florida has embraced solar energy as a key component of its renewable energy strategy, with solar power plants playing an increasingly significant role in the state's energy mix. The state has made notable strides in solar energy utilization, with renewable resources, primarily solar energy and biomass, accounting for about 10% of Florida's total in-state generation in 2024. This marks a significant shift from coal-fired power plants, which supplied only 3% of the state's energy in 2024, down from 23% in 2014.
Florida Power & Light (FPL) has been a leader in the state's solar expansion, with a commitment to providing clean and affordable energy to its customers. FPL's Real Zero goal aims to eliminate carbon emissions in Florida while maintaining low energy costs. The company is in the midst of America's largest solar expansion, powered by hundreds of millions of solar panels. FPL constructed the state's first solar power plant, the FPL DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center, a 25-MW plant in 2009. They also operate one of the state's largest solar plants, the 75 MW FPL Martin Next Generation Solar Energy Center in Martin County, which was the world's first hybrid solar-natural gas energy center.
In addition to FPL's efforts, other companies have contributed to Florida's solar landscape. The 100 MW Sorrento Solar Farm in Lake County was expected to become the state's largest photovoltaic solar farm, but the project faced setbacks when Blue Chip Energy went insolvent. Nevertheless, Florida Power and Light announced plans in 2014 to build three more power plants by the end of 2016. Tampa Electric Company is constructing a 2 MW farm at Tampa International Airport, and the Gulf Power Company and the U.S. military have partnered to build three large plants across the state, with a combined capacity of 120 MW.
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Florida's renewable energy
However, despite these advancements, Florida has also faced criticism for repealing its renewable energy goals in 2024. The previous goals aimed for 40% renewable energy by 2030, 63% by 2035, 82% by 2040, and 100% by 2050. The repeal reflects a philosophical shift by the Republican-controlled legislature, prioritizing cost-effective energy solutions over long-term environmental sustainability.
In addition to solar, biomass fuels about 11% of Florida's renewable generation, although it contributes to just 1% of the total in-state net generation. The state has a variety of biomass resources, including municipal solid waste, wood and wood waste, sugarcane waste, citrus pulp, and more. However, Florida's flat terrain limits its hydropower development, and the state has no utility-scale wind-powered generating capacity.
The residential sector in Florida accounts for more than half of the state's electricity consumption, with about 9 in 10 households relying on electricity as their primary energy source for heating and cooling. Despite this, Florida is second only to California in the number of registered electric vehicles, and various cities, including Orlando and Tallahassee, have committed to using 100% renewable energy.
Overall, Florida's renewable energy sector is growing, with advancements in solar energy and biofuels. However, the state's policies and priorities have shifted away from renewable energy goals, causing a divide between state policies and public concern over climate change.
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Florida's natural gas utilities
Florida has a variety of electric companies serving its residents, and natural gas is an important part of the state's energy mix. Florida Public Utilities (FPU) is one of the state's energy providers, delivering energy that drives progress and providing safe and reliable service to its customers. FPU is committed to sustainability and is a subsidiary of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation, traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "CPK".
Natural gas is a key offering of FPU, and they emphasize its environmental benefits and cost-effectiveness for space heating, cooling, and water heating for residential and commercial customers. FPU also offers budget billing, allowing customers to stabilize their monthly energy costs. Additionally, FPU provides rebates to help offset the cost of energy-efficiency upgrades.
Another natural gas provider in Florida is Florida City Gas, which also serves residential customers. Their website highlights the comfort and reliability of natural gas as an energy source.
Infinite Energy Inc., based in Gainesville, Florida, is another energy provider in the state, although it is unclear if they provide natural gas services specifically.
Natural gas utilities in Florida appear to be provided by multiple companies, with Florida Public Utilities and Florida City Gas being the most prominent. These companies offer a range of services and benefits to their customers, promoting natural gas as a safe, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible energy choice.
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Florida's electric cooperatives
Florida is home to several electric cooperatives, which are independent, not-for-profit organisations that provide electrical energy to their members. One of the most prominent cooperatives is the Central Florida Electric Cooperative, which serves members in the central region of the state. They are dedicated to community development and offer educational initiatives such as sending high school students on tours to Washington, D.C., and providing grants and scholarships to promote education.
Other notable electric cooperatives in Florida include the Tri-County Electric Cooperative, Inc., located in Madison, and the Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative, Inc. These cooperatives are member-owned and governed by their members, ensuring local control and decision-making.
Peace River Electric Cooperative, Inc., based in Wauchula, and Seminole Electric Cooperative, Inc. are also part of the network of electric cooperatives in Florida. They are committed to delivering energy to their members while maintaining high standards of safety and reliability.
In addition to electric cooperatives, Florida is also served by companies such as Florida Public Utilities (FPUC), a subsidiary of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation. FPUC provides natural gas and electric services to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. They emphasise safe and reliable service and promote sustainability initiatives, such as natural gas as an environmentally responsible energy choice. FPUC also offers budget billing to stabilise monthly energy costs for their customers.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several electric companies in Florida, including Florida Public Utilities, Duke Energy, Florida Power & Light Company, Tri-County Electric Cooperative Inc., and Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative Inc.
Most power plants in Florida run on natural gas, which accounts for about 76% of the state's electricity generation. Florida also has a growing number of solar power plants, with the state ranking fourth in the nation for solar power generation in 2020. Additionally, there are two nuclear power plants operating in Florida.
The total electricity generation in Florida is about 250 GWh.
