Duke Energy Florida says four proposed solar centers could deliver $1 billion in customer savings from avoided fuel costs over their operating lives, though the announcement gives no construction-cost or rate-impact estimates.
The utility said it filed the plans Tuesday, Nov. 10, with the Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC). Nova, Bull Creek and Wewahootee are planned for Orange County, while Hogeye would be in Sumter County. Together, the centers are expected to add 300 megawatts to Duke’s system by mid-2028.
Construction is expected to begin at Nova in January 2027, Bull Creek in March, and Hogeye and Wewahootee in May. Duke lists completion targets of February 2028 for Nova, April for Bull Creek, May for Hogeye and June for Wewahootee. The company tentatively expects all four centers to be operating by June 2028.
Duke estimates that each center would avoid $250 million in fuel costs over roughly 30 years. Duke estimates that each center's annual generation would offset the equivalent of about 9,000 tons of coal, 12,000 barrels of fuel oil and 1.1 million cubic feet of natural gas.
The announcement did not give construction budgets or explain how project costs might affect customer rates. It therefore provides no net-savings calculation accounting for those costs. Duke says its current fleet has 25 solar sites with a combined capacity of 1,850 megawatts.
“These solar energy sites are just one example of how we're planning for the future,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. Duke did not give a timetable for FPSC action on the plans.
