Duke Energy Florida has announced plans for three major construction projects in Florida (United States). The group has decided to construct a 1,640 MW CCGT power plant to help serve Florida’s approximately 1.7 million customers starting in 2018. The anticipated cost to build the new plant is approximately US$1.5bn, including financing costs. If all regulatory approvals are received, construction is expected to start in early 2016. The plant’s first 820 MW are expected to come online in spring 2018, and the second 820 MW are expected to be available by December 2018. The plant will receive natural gas through a new pipeline Sabal Trail Transmission is constructing. The pipeline will start in Alabama, extend through Georgia and end in Central Florida.
In addition, Duke Energy also plans to build two simple-cycle combustion turbine generators at the Suwannee Plant. The 320 MW of generation will accommodate peak electricity demand and serve customers beginning in 2016. The anticipated cost to build the units is approximately US$197m, including financing costs. The three steam plants built in the 1950s are slated to be retired in 2016 when the combustion turbine generators become operational. At the Hines Energy Complex in Polk County, which has 4 CCGT power blocks, Duke Energy Florida plans to install inlet air chilling units to increase efficiency and power output during the hot summer months. By 2017, these upgrades will add about 220 MW to the plant’s existing 1,912 MW of generation. The anticipated cost to install the chillers is approximately US$160m, including financing costs.