Florida Power & Light starts work on Manatee Energy Storage Center
Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) has commenced construction on the FPL Manatee Energy Storage Center, which is expected to be the world’s largest integrated solar-powered battery system.
FPL Manatee Energy Storage Center, located in Parrish, Fla., will store extra energy produced by the nearby FPL Manatee Solar Energy Center when the sun’s rays are strongest. It will then send it to the grid when there is a higher electricity demand, even when the sun is not shining. This will offset the need to run other power plants – further reducing emissions and saving customers more than $100 million through avoided fuel costs over the project’s life.
“Despite the numerous challenges of 2020, our employees have never lost focus on our fundamental duty to look over the horizon and ensure we’re building a more sustainable and resilient energy future for Florida,” FPL President and CEO Eric Silagy said. “The Manatee Energy Storage Center won’t just exceed industry records, it will also be a major win for FPL customers and our beautiful state – cutting emissions, saving customers millions, and enabling us to deliver more reliable, clean energy, even when the sun’s not shining. Bringing the world’s largest integrated solar-powered battery to Florida showcases to the world our state’s engineering and hi-tech capabilities and is yet another example of FPL’s relentless focus on challenging the status quo and embracing innovative technology to deliver America’s best energy value.”
This storage center, which is slated to open later this year, will create 70 new jobs during peak construction. It is projected to save FPL customers more than $100 million and eliminate more than 1 million carbon dioxide emissions over the life of the project.
“A clean energy revolution is sweeping the Sunshine State and FPL is making smart investments to move it forward,” Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore said. “We’re very proud of the important part Manatee County played since the early days of FPL’s solar expansion when the company opened a solar power plant in Parrish in 2016. And we’re proud that Manatee County will now be home to the largest integrated solar-powered battery system in the world.”
FPL’s investments in battery storage technology complement its expansion of solar energy. FPL currently has 33 solar energy centers in operation, making it the state’s largest solar power producer. FPL remains on track to meet its goal to install 30 million solar panels by 2030. FPL also recently launched its SolarTogether program, the nation’s largest community solar program.
“Florida’s utilities are making tremendous investments in renewable energy,” said Temperince Morgan, executive director of the Florida chapter of The Nature Conservancy. “New technology, like large-scale battery storage being announced by FPL, is the key to a cleaner, cheaper, and more efficient energy grid, and it is essential to the well-being of our planet.”
