On March 1, 2023, Duke Energy Florida announced the construction of two new solar projects in Bay and Madison counties in Florida. These projects are part of the company’s community solar program, Clean Energy Connection, and reinforce the company’s commitment to cleaner energy solutions for its Florida customers.
Large-scale projects to produce green electricity
The Mule Creek Renewable Energy Center will be built on approximately 700 acres that include buffer areas for the Bay County community. Once operational, the 74.9 megawatt (MW) facility will consist of approximately 175,000 solar panels. After a successful open house for the community, the Winquepin Renewable Energy Center will be built on approximately 530 acres in Madison County. Once operational, the 74.9 MW facility will consist of approximately 220,000 solar panels. At full capacity, each site will produce enough carbon-free electricity to power the equivalent of nearly 23,000 homes.
Economic and environmental benefits for the communities served
Construction of these two new solar facilities is expected to take approximately nine to twelve months and create approximately 200 to 300 temporary jobs during that time. In addition, both projects will bring additional economic benefits to the communities served.
Based on Duke Energy Florida’s current energy mix, each 74.9 MW solar installation replaces approximately 1.2 million cubic feet of natural gas, 15,000 barrels of fuel oil and 12,000 tons of coal each year. In 2022, thanks to high fuel prices and tax benefits from a new federal law, the Inflation Reduction Act, Duke Energy Florida’s solar plants will save its customers more than $30 million.
