Florida Power & Light Co has announced plans to develop a coal gasification plant in St. Lucie County in southern Florida. The 850 MW plant, which could be on line by 2012, would comprise at least two units when it is developed outside Port St. Lucie.

The company has an option to buy some 7,000 acres of land to develop the units that would begin generating power in 2012 and 2013. A possible third unit could also be built.

Estimates for the development costs are not available though some figures suggest $1.2 million/MW for clean-coal plants of this type. FPL still has to go through a competitive bidding process and requires both state and federal regulatory approval before development of the plant can occur.