Gulf Power installs first solar panels at Blue Indigo Solar Energy Center
Gulf Power recently announced that it has installed the first solar panels at Blue Indigo Solar Energy Center in Jackson County, Fla., the company’s first wholly owned and operated solar energy center.
“Gulf Power is committed to developing cleaner energy and reducing carbon emissions while ensuring long-term reliability and lower costs for customers,” Gulf Power President Marlene Santos said. “We are proud to mark this historic milestone as we advance solar here in Northwest Florida, and look forward to celebrating the completion of our Blue Indigo solar energy center.”
Construction on the solar energy center began May 1, and the project is expected to be completed in early 2020. Once complete, the project will consist of approximately 300,000 solar panels and generate 74.5 megawatts of energy.
Gulf Power is also developing another solar energy center in Jackson County, Blue Springs Solar Energy Center, which will generate approximately 74.5 megawatts of energy. The company is also evaluating potential sites in Northwest Florida for additional solar energy centers.
“We know our customers want cleaner energy solutions, and we’re looking forward to bringing them even more clean, emissions-free solar,” Santos said. “In addition to creating hundreds of construction jobs, adding solar can bring additional tax revenue and other benefits that are vital to the economic well-being and quality of life for our communities.”
Approximately 11 percent of Gulf Power’s energy mix currently comes from renewable sources.
Gulf Power is a subsidiary of NextEra Energy, which is the world’s largest producer of renewable energy from the wind and sun. Gulf Power’s sister company Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) is the largest generator of solar power in Florida, with 18 solar power plants in operation and 10 under construction. FPL is working toward a goal of installing 30 million solar panels by 2030.
