Florida Power & Light closes another coal plant

It is hoped that these advancements will further improve FPL's carbon emissions profile, which is already approximately 30% cleaner than the US industry average. At the same time, FPL's typical 1000 kWh residential customer bill remains approximately 25% lower than the US average.

Late last week, the ageing coal-fired St. Johns River Power Park in Jacksonville was officially retired by co-owners FPL and JEA, the municipal electric provider for the City of Jacksonville. The approximately 1300 MW plant served customers of the two utilities well for many years, but it was no longer economical to operate – the plant was one of the highest-cost generating facilities to operate and maintain for both FPL's and JEA's systems.

"FPL has a forward-looking strategy of making smart, innovative, long-term investments, including solar, to reduce emissions while providing affordable clean energy for its customers," said Julie Wraithmell, Interim Executive Director of Audubon Florida.

"Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is critical to addressing climate change," said Greg Knecht, Deputy Executive Director of the Florida chapter of The Nature Conservancy. "Any time we can replace less-efficient sources of energy with cleaner fuels or solar, it's a benefit for people and nature. Investments such as FPL's in clean-energy technologies are key to Florida's future health and prosperity."

In 2016, FPL shut down the Cedar Bay Generating Plant, another coal plant located in Jacksonville – preventing nearly 1 million short t of carbon emissions annually and saving customers a projected US$70 million. In addition, FPL plans to phase out its last coal plant in Florida, the Indian town Cogeneration plant, which is projected to prevent more than 657 000 short t of carbon dioxide emissions annually and save customers an estimated US$129 million.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/power/09012018/florida-power-light-closes-another-coal-plant/