Florida Power & Light Commissions Riviera Beach, Florida, Clean Energy Center
04/10/2014
FPL invested approximately $1.3 billion to build the new energy center on the same site in Palm Beach County where a 1960s-era oil-burning plant was dismantled in 2011. Construction was completed two months ahead of schedule, allowing the plant to officially enter commercial operation on April 1.
FPL officials said the new center is “one of the cleanest, most energy-efficient plants in the nation.” The new energy center is capable of producing more than 1,250 megawatts of electricity, enough to power approximately 250,000 homes and businesses – roughly double the amount generated by the previous plant – without using any additional water or land.
"The Riviera Beach Next Generation Clean Energy Center is yet another demonstration of our commitment to dramatically reducing our dependence on foreign oil, while at the same time, delivering clean, reliable and affordable electricity for all of our customers," said Eric Silagy, president of FPL. "Importantly, we completed this clean energy center early and under budget, saving our customers money in the process. It's one more example of how the 9,000 employees of FPL are working hard each and every day to ensure FPL customers continue to benefit from electric bills that are the lowest in the state and 25 percent below the national average."
"Innovative infrastructure, such as this clean energy center, is beneficial not only to the environment, but to Florida's economy as well," said Florida's Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater. "Energy and cost-efficient technologies are attractive lures for business owners, entrepreneurs and consumers alike – an outcome which benefits all Floridians."
FPL's investment in the new energy center also brings with it important economic benefits for the local economy, the company said. The company expects to provide approximately $25 million in new local tax revenue during the energy center's first year of operation and more than $350 million in tax revenue during its lifetime for Palm Beach County and local government services. Approximately $8 million of the total tax revenue generated from the new energy center annually will benefit the Riviera Beach community.
"Your investment is arming us with increased capital to invest in our city's infrastructure and to change the economic fortunes of our residents by attracting and retaining businesses that create jobs for our local residents," said Tony Brown, executive director of the Riviera Beach Community Redevelopment Agency.
The Riviera Beach Next Generation Clean Energy Center is part of FPL's ongoing effort to modernize its power generation fleet in order to continue providing clean, affordable, reliable electricity for its customers. These investments, which are projected to save customers billions of dollars in fossil fuel costs, include:
Cape Canaveral Next Generation Clean Energy Center: In April 2013, FPL commissioned the new energy center, which replaced the 1960s-era power plant on the Space Coast.
Port Everglades Next Generation Clean Energy Center: The company dismantled the Port Everglades Plant in July 2013. It will be replaced by FPL's Port Everglades Next Generation Clean Energy Center, which is expected to enter service in June 2016.
St. Lucie and Turkey Point Nuclear Plant Uprate Project: In 2013, FPL completed the largest extended power uprate project in the country, adding more than 520 megawatts of new, zero-emissions energy through massive upgrades of its two nuclear power plants.
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