US utility Duke Energy has announced plans to invest a total of $1.86 billion on three power plant projects in Florida, most significantly the construction of a 1640 MW combined-cycle natural gas plant adjacent to the existing Crystal River Energy Complex in Citrus County.
If all regulatory approvals are received, construction is expected to start on the $1.5bn plant in early 2016. Duke says the first 820 MW unit is expected to come online in spring 2018, and the second by December 2018.
The Citrus County combined-cycle plant will receive natural gas through a new pipeline, which runs from Alabama and is being constructed by Sabal Trail Transmission.
Duke also plans to spend $197 million on two 160 MW simple-cycle combustion turbine generators at the Suwannee Plant near Live Oak, and $160 million on new equipment at the Hines Energy Complex near Bartow.
Installation of the new inlet air chilling units at the Hines Energy Complex will add about 220 MW of additional generating capacity to the existing 1912 MW plant and is due for completion in 2017.
Duke also announced its intent to retire Crystal River coal-fired units 1 and 2 due to changing federal environmental regulations once the Citrus County combined-cycle plant starts up in 2018. Three steam plants built at Suwannee the 1950s are due to be retired in 2016 when the new combustion turbine generators become operational at the site.
Duke Energy Florida will formally submit the plans to the Florida Public Service Commission for approval this month. A commission ruling is expected later in 2014.
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