Tampa Electric to add another 375 MW of solar power over next three years
Tampa Electric is planning to add another 375 MW of solar power at six sites by the end of 2025, the company announced last week.
When the work is completed, Tampa Electric will have more than 1,600 MW of solar power – enough to power nearly 260,000 homes.
“During this time when volatile natural gas prices are affecting electricity bills, investments in solar power help all customers to save fuel costs,” said Archie Collins, president and CEO of Tampa Electric. “We are committed to expanding solar power at a pace that makes sense for customers.”
By the end of 2025, Tampa Electric will have about 17 percent of its energy coming from solar power. That would be the highest percentage of solar power of any electric company in the state, officials said. Natural gas will produce 82 percent of the electricity, with coal fueling only 1 percent. Since 2000, Tampa Electric has reduced its use of coal by more than 90 percent and has cut its carbon footprint in half.
By 2031, solar is expected to produce 20 percent of Tampa Electric’s power.
The increase in solar has several benefits, including the fact that it saves fuel costs for customers and helps to reduce the impact of volatile natural gas prices. Thus, solar power is expected to save about $90 million in fuel costs. It also helps to conserve water, about 4.3 gallons, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Tampa Electric, a subsidiary of Emera Inc., serves more than 800,000 customers in West Central Florida.
