The planned solar sites will add 300 megawatts of clean energy to Florida’s electricity grid and are expected to generate $1 billion in customer savings over their operational lifetimes
St. Petersburg, Florida, 11 November 2026 – As electricity demand continues to rise, energy providers are looking for ways to expand power generation while keeping costs manageable for customers. Duke Energy Florida is taking another step in this direction with plans to develop four new solar energy sites across the state. The projects are expected to add 300 megawatts (MW) of clean energy to the electricity grid and deliver an estimated $1 billion in customer savings over their operational lifetimes.
The company has filed its plans with the Florida Public Service Commission, with all four projects tentatively scheduled to become operational by June 2028. The proposed sites will be located in Orange and Sumter counties, supporting the state's growing need for reliable electricity.
The four projects include Nova Renewable Energy Center, Bull Creek Renewable Energy Center, and Wewahootee Renewable Energy Center in Orange County, along with Hogeye Renewable Energy Center in Sumter County. Construction is expected to begin at different stages in 2027, with Nova starting in January, Bull Creek in March, and the remaining two sites in May. Their expected completion dates range from February to June 2028.
One of the major benefits of these projects is the potential reduction in fuel costs. Unlike conventional power generation that depends on natural gas, oil, or coal, solar facilities generate electricity using sunlight. According to Duke Energy Florida, each solar site can help customers save approximately $250 million in fuel costs over an operating period of around 30 years. Together, the four planned facilities are expected to generate substantial long-term savings.
The projects are also expected to support environmental goals by reducing dependence on traditional fuel sources. According to the company, the energy produced at each solar site can displace approximately 1.1 million cubic feet of natural gas, 12,000 barrels of fuel oil, and 9,000 tons of coal annually.
Beyond solar generation, Duke Energy Florida is also investing in battery energy storage. These systems can store electricity when demand is low and release it when households and businesses need additional power. This allows solar-generated electricity to remain useful even when sunlight is unavailable. The company plans to develop more than 1 gigawatt of battery storage capacity over the next decade.
Currently, Duke Energy Florida operates 25 solar energy sites with a combined capacity of 1,850 MW. The company supplies electricity to approximately 2 million residential, commercial, and industrial customers across Florida.
The expansion reflects a broader shift in how utilities are planning their energy infrastructure. As communities grow and electricity consumption increases, combining renewable energy generation with battery storage can help build a more flexible and reliable power system.
With these four proposed projects, Duke Energy Florida is continuing its investment in solar energy while focusing on long-term customer value. Their progress will be worth watching as Florida works toward meeting its future energy needs.
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