What the source reports
Duke Energy Florida has filed plans with the Florida Public Service Commission to develop four new solar energy sites with a combined capacity of 300 MW, targeting commissioning by June 2028. The proposed projects are expected to deliver approximately $1 billion in customer savings over their operational lifetimes through reduced fuel costs and tax credit benefits.
The proposed expansion will add to the company’s existing solar portfolio of 25 operational sites with a combined capacity of 1,850 MW. Duke Energy Florida said the projects will support rising electricity demand across Florida while reducing dependence on conventional fuel-based power generation.
According to the company, each new solar facility could generate approximately $250 million in fuel cost savings over an operational period of around 30 years by replacing electricity generated from natural gas, oil and other conventional sources.
The company also transfers approximately $75 million annually in production tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act to customers, reducing electricity bills by at least $2.50 per 1,000 kWh of consumption. These benefits are expected to increase as additional solar capacity becomes operational.
The four proposed solar energy sites will be developed across Orange and Sumter counties, with construction scheduled to begin between January and May 2027.
The project timelines are as follows:
- Nova Renewable Energy Center: Located in Orange County, construction is expected to begin in January 2027, with completion targeted for February 2028.
- Bull Creek Renewable Energy Center: Located in Orange County, construction is scheduled to begin in March 2027, with completion expected in April 2028.
- Hogeye Renewable Energy Center: Located in Sumter County, construction is expected to begin in May 2027, with completion targeted for May 2028.
- Wewahootee Renewable Energy Center: Located in Orange County, construction is scheduled to begin in May 2027, with completion expected in June 2028.
Duke Energy Florida State President Melissa Seixas said the planned solar investments are intended to deliver long-term customer benefits while strengthening the electricity system and maintaining reliable power supplies.
Alongside its solar expansion, Duke Energy Florida is increasing investments in utility-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) to improve the availability of renewable electricity. The company plans to develop more than 1 GW of battery storage capacity over the next 10 years.
The battery systems will store electricity when demand is low and make it available during periods of higher consumption, allowing customers to benefit from solar power even when generation is unavailable.
The company expects the planned battery storage investments to generate additional customer savings through investment tax credits. Duke Energy Florida is also accelerating the delivery of investment tax credits associated with its seventh battery project, the Powerline Battery Energy Storage System in Citrus County, to avoid a scheduled base rate increase and help reduce customer bills in 2027.
The proposed solar expansion and battery storage investments form part of Duke Energy Florida’s broader strategy to modernise its electricity system, accommodate growing power demand and expand clean energy generation while maintaining affordability for customers.
Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns approximately 12,500 MW of energy capacity and supplies electricity to around 2 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.
