ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.,
July 21, 2021 /PRNewswire/
-- Duke Energy Florida today announced the locations of its
four newest solar power plants – the latest move in the company's
program to expand its renewable generation portfolio.
"We continue investing in utility-scale solar in Florida because our customers deserve a
cleaner energy future," said Duke Energy Florida state president
Melissa Seixas. "These solar plants
are the latest milestones in our strategy to deliver reliable,
cost-effective, clean energy to our customers."
Duke Energy Florida plans to invest an estimated $1 billion in 10 new solar power plants across
Florida, including the four sites
announced today.
Construction on the four sites will begin in early 2022 and will
take approximately 9 to 12 months to complete. Construction of all
10 sites is projected to be finished by late 2024.
Combined, the plants will produce about 750 megawatts (MW) of
new, cost-effective solar power.
One of the new sites will be built in Suwannee County in north Florida.
"Suwannee County welcomes Duke
Energy's latest solar project. It promotes green energy and brings
jobs and capital investment into our community," said Suwannee County economic development director
Jimmy Norris. "We invite more
opportunities that protect the environment while helping the future
growth of our community."
The four new sites:
- The Hildreth Solar Power Plant will be built on 635 acres in
Suwannee County, Fla. Once
operational, the 74.9-MW facility will consist of approximately
220,000 single-axis tracking bifacial solar panels. Its innovative
double-sided panel design is highly efficient and tracks the
movement of the sun. The plant will be capable of effectively
producing enough electricity to power approximately 23,000
average-sized homes at peak production.
- The Bay Ranch Solar Power Plant will be built on 645 acres in
Bay County, Fla. The 74.9-MW plant
will consist of approximately 220,000 single-axis bifacial tracking
solar panels that will produce enough carbon-free energy to
effectively power more than 23,000 average-sized homes at peak
production. Its innovative double-sided panel design is highly
efficient and tracks the movement of the sun.
- The Hardeetown Solar Power Plant will be built on 650 acres in
Levy County, Fla. Once
operational, the 74.9-MW facility will consist of approximately
218,000 single-axis bifacial tracking solar panels. Its
double-sided panel design is highly efficient and tracks the
movement of the sun.
- The High Springs Solar Power Plant is proposed to be built on
700 acres in Alachua County, Fla.
Once operational, the 74.9-MW facility will consist of
approximately 216,000 single-axis tracking solar panels. The plant
will be capable of effectively producing enough electricity to
power approximately 23,000 average-sized homes at peak
production.
Duke Energy's solar generation portfolio represents more than
$2 billion of investment, about
1,500-MW of emission-free generation and approximately five million
solar panels in the ground by 2024.
The company currently has more than 900-MW of solar generation
under construction or in operation in Florida.
Building A Smarter Energy Future®
Duke Energy Florida is a leader in advancing clean energy in the
state.
Earlier this year, the company announced two other new solar
sites:
- Construction is underway at the Bay Trail Solar Power Plant,
sited on 500 acres in Citrus County,
Fla. Once operational, the 74.9-MW facility will consist of
approximately 197,000 tracking bifacial solar panels. Its
innovative double-sided panel design is highly efficient and tracks
the movement of the sun. The plant will be capable of effectively
producing enough electricity to power approximately 23,000
average-sized homes at peak production.
- The Fort Green Solar Power Plant is being mobilized on 500
acres in Hardee County, Fla. The
74.9-MW plant will consist of approximately 265,000 bifacial solar
panels, utilizing a fixed-tilt racking system that will produce
enough carbon-free energy to effectively power more than 23,000
average-sized homes at peak production.
Once both sites are finished, the Bay Trail and Fort Green solar
power plants will help Duke Energy Florida complete the
installation of its three-millionth solar panel in the state.
In February 2020, Duke Energy
Florida announced the installation of its one-millionth solar panel
in Florida at the company's
Columbia Solar Power Plant in Fort White,
Fla.
Video of installation of one-millionth solar panel at Columbia
Solar Power Plant
Video of Columbia plant, from
drone
More information about the installation
Duke Energy Florida
Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns a diverse
generation mix of natural gas, coal and renewables, providing about
10,200 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 1.9
million customers in a 13,000-square-mile service area.
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in
Charlotte, N.C., is one of
America's largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities
serve 7.9 million customers in North
Carolina, South Carolina,
Florida, Indiana, Ohio
and Kentucky, and collectively own
51,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves
1.6 million customers in North
Carolina, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 27,500
people.
Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy strategy to
create a smarter energy future for its customers and communities –
with goals of at least a 50 percent carbon reduction by 2030 and
net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The company is a top U.S.
renewable energy provider, on track to operate or purchase 16,000
megawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2025. The company also is
investing in major electric grid upgrades and expanded battery
storage, and exploring zero-emitting power generation technologies
such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.
Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2021 "World's Most Admired
Companies" list and Forbes' "America's Best Employers" list. More
information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke
Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos
and videos. Duke Energy's illumination features stories
about people, innovations, community topics and environmental
issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and
Facebook.
Media contact: Ana Gibbs
Cell: 813.928.7263
Media line: 800.559.3853
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SOURCE Duke Energy