The utility plans significant addition of solar power, enough energy for another 100,000 homes
As part of its strategic transformation to become cleaner and greener, Tampa Electric is launching another significant expansion of solar power.
The company plans to invest approximately $800 million to add another 600 MW of solar power by the end of 2023. At that time, Tampa Electric will have more than 1,250 MW of solar power – enough to power more than 200,000 homes – with about 14 percent of the utility’s energy fueled by the sun, which would be the highest percentage of solar power of any utility in the state.
“Our customers want a cleaner energy future for themselves – and their children,” said Nancy Tower, president and chief executive officer of Tampa Electric. “We are committed to continue to lead Tampa Electric toward cleaner energy while ensuring our prices remain affordable for customers.”
Over the life of these plants, this solar expansion would be cheaper for customers than keeping its fleet as it is today. When complete, the solar expansion will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 500,000 tons every year, which is roughly equal to removing 100,000 cars from the road.
Tampa Electric will work with regulators and other stakeholders to implement these plans and to bring the best value to customers.
This expansion will significantly change the company’s generation mix, as the utility continues to reduce its use of coal. In the past 20 years, Tampa Electric has reduced its use of coal by 92 percent and has cut its carbon footprint in half.
Thanks to its investment in solar power, Tampa Electric has saved more than 1.4 billion gallons of water – significantly helping an area of the state that has critical concerns over water use. So far, Tampa Electric has installed 520 MW of solar, with another 135 MW to be built within a year.
Tampa Electric, one of Florida’s largest investor-owned electric utilities, serves about 780,000 customers in West Central Florida. Tampa Electric is a subsidiary of Emera Inc., a geographically diverse energy and services company headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
