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 detailing the development of four new solar sites in Columbia, Osceola, and Sumter counties.
The company expects these new sites to save its two million customers an estimated $1 billion over their service lifetimes by reducing reliance on fuel sources such as natural gas. Since the cost Duke Energy Florida pays for fuel is directly passed on to customers through their bills, expanding solar generation is projected to lower customer costs.
Duke Energy Florida currently passes about $65 million per year in Inflation Reduction Act production tax credits back to customers, resulting in at least a $2.50 monthly bill reduction per 1,000 kilowatt-hours used. This benefit is expected to grow as more solar facilities become operational.
Each of the new solar projects will create approximately 150 temporary construction jobs locally. Environmentally, each site at peak output could offset about 1.1 million cubic feet of natural gas, 12,000 barrels of fuel oil, and 9,000 tons of coal annually.
“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 four planned sites are:
– Jumper Creek Renewable Energy Center (Sumter County), with construction underway and completion expected in July 2026.
– Turnpike Renewable Energy Center (Osceola County), with construction starting December 2025 and completion in December 2026.
– Lonesome Camp Renewable Energy Center (Osceola County), beginning January 2026 with a February 2027 target completion.
– Banner Renewable Energy Center (Columbia County), starting February 2026 with anticipated completion in March 2027.
By the end of 2025, Duke Energy Florida expects to own or operate about 30 solar sites contributing over 1,700 MW statewide. The four new facilities are part of a broader plan that aims to build twelve new sites totaling 900 MW between 2025 and 2027; this is the second phase following an earlier submission for four additional locations.
Looking ahead, Duke Energy Florida projects it will have more than 6,100 MW of utility-scale solar capacity online by the end of 2033.
Duke Energy Florida supplies electricity across a service area covering roughly 13,000 square miles in Florida and operates as a subsidiary of Duke Energy—one of America’s largest energy holding companies headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. The parent company serves millions across several states and is investing heavily in grid upgrades and cleaner power generation sources including renewables.
For further information about Duke Energy’s operations or ongoing projects visit duke-energy.com or the Duke Energy News Center.
