Duke Energy Florida has announced plans to add nearly 300 megawatts of solar energy to the state’s electric grid by early 2027. The company submitted a filing to the Florida Public Service Commission outlining four new solar energy sites, which will be located in Columbia, Osceola, and Sumter counties.
According to Duke Energy Florida, these new facilities are expected to save customers an estimated $1 billion over their service lifetimes. The company serves approximately 2 million customers across a 13,000-square-mile area in Florida.
“These solar energy sites will deliver real, tangible value for our customers,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. “It’s all part of a larger strategy to diversify our generation fleet and make it more efficient and cost-effective for the people, businesses and communities we have the privilege of serving across Florida.”
The construction of each site is projected to create about 150 temporary jobs locally. At peak output, each facility will reduce the need for traditional fuels by saving about 1.1 million cubic feet of natural gas, 12,000 barrels of fuel oil, and 9,000 tons of coal annually.
The four new sites are as follows:
– Jumper Creek Renewable Energy Center (Sumter County), with construction underway and completion expected in July 2026.
– Turnpike Renewable Energy Center (Osceola County), with construction beginning December 2025 and completion set for December 2026.
– Lonesome Camp Renewable Energy Center (Osceola County), with construction starting January 2026 and estimated completion in February 2027.
– Banner Renewable Energy Center (Columbia County), with construction beginning February 2026 and completion anticipated in March 2027.
Duke Energy Florida currently owns or operates around 30 solar energy sites contributing more than 1,700 MW to the grid. The four planned projects represent the second phase of an agreement that aims to build a total of twelve new sites between 2025 and 2027, adding up to 900 MW. The first phase began earlier this year.
By transferring approximately $65 million per year in Inflation Reduction Act production tax credits directly to customers, Duke Energy Florida reduces monthly bills by at least $2.50 per every thousand kilowatt-hours used—a figure that will rise as more solar projects come online.
Looking ahead, the company projects it will have over 6,100 MW of utility-scale solar generating capacity operational by the end of 2033.
Duke Energy Florida is a subsidiary of Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), one of America’s largest energy holding companies headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. Duke Energy’s electric utilities serve over eight million customers across six states and collectively own nearly 55 gigawatts of capacity.
For further information on Duke Energy’s initiatives or updates on its transition toward cleaner energy sources, visit duke-energy.com or check the Duke Energy News Center.
