Florida Power & Light Company announces plan to build world’s largest solar-powered battery

Published on April 01, 2019 by Kevin Randolph


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Florida Power & Light Company recently announced a plan to build the world’s largest solar-powered battery system as part of a modernization initiative that will accelerate the retirement of two fossil fuel generation units.

The FPL Manatee Energy Storage Center will have 409 megawatts (MW) of capacity, four times the capacity of the largest battery system currently in operation. It will be charged by an existing FPL solar power plant in Manatee County.

“Replacing a large, aging fossil fuel plant with a mega battery that’s adjacent to a large solar plant is another world-first accomplishment and while I’m very pleased of that fact, what I’m most proud of is that our team remained committed to developing this clean energy breakthrough while saving customers money and keeping their bills among the lowest in the nation,” Eric Silagy, president and CEO of FPL, said.

The company plans to offset the need to run other power plants by deploying energy from the batteries when demand for electricity is higher.

The FPL Manatee Energy Storage Center is part of modernization plan to accelerate the retirement of two natural gas generating units at FPL’s neighboring power plant and replace them with clean and renewable energy. FPL is also planning several smaller battery installations and solar power plants across the state as well as efficiency upgrades to existing combustion turbines at other power plants to replace the 1,638 MW of generating capacity. The project is expected to save customers more than $100 million and eliminate more than 1 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

“FPL is pioneering a clean energy revolution for our state that’s come full circle for our community,” Stephen Jonsson, chairman of the board of County Commissioners in Manatee County, said. “It seems like just yesterday that FPL kicked off its massive solar expansion in 2016 by opening a solar power plant in Parrish. Fast forward a few years, and our hometown solar power plant is on the verge of powering the world’s largest solar-powered battery system. This modernization plan is truly an incredible feat and consistent with our commitment as leaders to keep sustainability at the forefront of every project that takes place in Manatee County. It’s why we continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with FPL to help do our part to shape Florida’s clean energy future.”