ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.,
Dec. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke
Energy has selected the preferred routes and substation location
for the Polk County Reliability Enhancement Project, designed to
meet the increasing energy needs of those living and working in the
growing heart of central Florida.
This project will enhance the ability of Duke Energy and
neighboring electric utilities to provide safe and reliable energy
to homes, community facilities and businesses in the area by
connecting the company's Osprey Energy Center in Auburndale to existing substations in
Kathleen and Haines City.
- The proposed location for the new substation will be on the
Osprey Energy Center site.
- The new 230-kilovolt (kV) Kathleen Transmission Line will
extend from the Osprey Energy Center approximately 26.2 miles west
to the existing Kathleen
substation.
- The new 230-kV Haines City Transmission Line will extend from
the Osprey Energy Center approximately 21.4 miles east to the
existing Haines City East substation.
The location and alignments of the routes for these new
transmission lines are identified on this map.
As part of the route selection process, Duke Energy carefully
reviewed and considered community input in addition to other
factors such as safety, reliability, land use, cultural and natural
resources. Based on extensive evaluation, the company selected a
route with the least overall impact to homes, personal property,
businesses, environment and the community.
The company engaged the community and solicited comments through
open houses, letters, post cards, emails and phone calls. Duke
Energy received approximately 300 comments from residents and
members of the public during the open comment period.
"We appreciate the public's participation throughout the
planning phase of this project," said Catherine Stempien, Duke Energy Florida
president. "Know we are committed to continuing to engage the
affected communities and keep them informed as we build an energy
backbone to support the tremendous growth and development now
underway in Polk County."
Next Steps
Land surveying activities will begin along the route in
January 2019 and continue for
approximately six months. Survey results are used to establish the
precise location and alignment of the routes and identify where
easements may be needed on individual properties. Duke Energy will
work directly with property owners when areas needed to construct,
operate and maintain the new 230-kV transmission lines are
identified.
Construction of the Polk County Reliability Project is expected
to begin in late summer 2021 and will continue until the line is
placed in service in 2024.
More details can be viewed at duke-energy.com/osprey. Residents
who have questions about the project, can contact email
PolkReliabilityEnhancements@duke-energy.com or call toll-free
800.774.2852.
Duke Energy Florida
Duke Energy Florida owns and operates a diverse generation mix,
including natural gas, coal and renewables, providing about 9,300
megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 1.8 million
customers in a 13,000-square-mile service area.
Duke Energy Florida is a subsidiary of Duke Energy (NYSE:
DUK).
Headquartered in Charlotte,
N.C., Duke Energy is one of the largest energy holding
companies in the U.S., with approximately 29,000 employees and a
generating capacity of 49,500 megawatts. The company is
transforming its customers' experience, modernizing its energy
grid, generating cleaner energy and expanding its natural gas
infrastructure to create a smarter energy future for the people and
communities it serves.
The company's Electric Utilities and Infrastructure unit serves
approximately 7.6 million retail electric customers in six states –
North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio
and Kentucky. Its Gas Utilities
and Infrastructure unit distributes natural gas to approximately
1.6 million customers in five states – North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. Its Commercial Renewables unit
operates a growing renewable energy portfolio across the U.S.
A Fortune 125 company, Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2018
"World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' 2018 "America's
Best Employers" list.
More information about the company is available at
duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center includes news
releases, fact sheets, photos, videos and other materials. Duke
Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations,
community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on
Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
Contact: Ana Gibbs
Office: 727.820.4722 | 24-Hour: 800.559.3853
View original content to download
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/duke-energy-announces-final-routes-substation-location-for-polk-county-reliability-enhancement-project-300765230.html
SOURCE Duke Energy