Drew Wilson
Twelve municipal utilities and the Florida Municipal Power Agency recently broke ground on a new solar project that is expected to provide enough electricity to power 45,000 homes.
It is one of the largest municipal-backed solar projects in the country. And on Thursday, it got bigger.
FMPA said the second phase of the Florida Municipal Solar Project will add another 149 megawatts of solar to the grid — which is about two thirds what the first phase brings to the table.
“We are excited to expand our solar power generation and bring even more affordable and clean energy to our customers,” said Jacob Williams, general manager and CEO of the Orlando-based wholesale power agency. “By working together, our cities are able to provide clean power to their communities in a cost-effective way.”
In total, the association says the dual solar farms will cover 1,500 acres within Alachua and Putnam counties, and they’ll provide juice to 75,000 homes.
FMPA is coordinating the effort with the municipal power companies in Alachua, Bartow, Jacksonville Beach, Fort Pierce, Homestead, Key West, Kissimmee, Lake Worth Beach, Ocala, Orlando, Wauchula and Winter Park.
Origis Energy, which has 1.6 gigawatts worth of solar installations under its belt, is handling the construction effort.
Chief commercial officer and chief procurement officer Johan Vanhee said the company “is proud to partner with FMPA and Florida municipal electric utilities on the Florida Municipal Solar Project, one of the largest municipal-backed solar projects in the nation.
“It is an honor to help so many of our fellow Floridians, and municipalities in the state of all sizes, realize the benefits of solar energy.”
The first phase of the project will be completed by the middle of next year, while the full suite is expected to be up and running in 2023.
