Duke Energy Florida has filed plans for four new solar energy sites, adding 300MW of capacity to the electric grid.
The company submitted its 2025 Solar Base Rate Adjustment (SoBRA) to the Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC).
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In line with a settlement agreement approved by the FPSC in August 2024, Duke Energy Florida is investing $521m to establish solar sites in four counties: the Sundance renewable energy centre in Madison County, the Half Moon renewable energy centre in Sumter County, the Rattler renewable energy centre in Hernando County and the Bailey Mill renewable energy centre in Jefferson County.
These sites are jointly expected to save customers $843m over their service lifetimes.
Construction has commenced on the Sundance, Half Moon and Rattler renewable energy centres, which will be operational by January 2026.
The Bailey Mill facility is in the permitting process, with construction commencing in summer 2025 and to be complete by summer 2026.
Each solar site will create 150 temporary jobs during construction and contribute 300MW of carbon-free energy to the grid.
At peak output, each 74.9MW site can power 23,000 homes and displace significant amounts of natural gas, fuel oil and coal annually.
Duke Energy Florida state president Melissa Seixas stated: “At Duke Energy Florida, we work every day to modernise and strengthen our generation fleet. Solar energy is an innovative, cost-effective and clean solution we continue to implement on behalf of our customers all across the Sunshine State.”
Duke Energy Florida currently operates 25 solar sites, producing around 1.5GW.
Between 2025 and 2027, the company plans to build 12 further sites, including these four, adding 900MW to the grid.
By 2033, the company aims to have more than 6.1GW of utility-scale solar capacity online.
The company has recently submitted a proposal to the Florida Public Service Commission to recoup $1.1bn in expenses incurred during the emergency response to the hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton in 2024.
The plan details the significant efforts to restore electricity to two million customers after the destructive 2024 hurricane season.
The company responded by deploying 27,000 workers and extra resources.
