Duke Energy Florida plans 2 additional 74.9-MW solar plants

Duke Energy Corp. subsidiary Duke Energy Florida LLC on March 15 announced the locations for two planned 74.9-MW solar power plants as part of the expansion of its renewable generation portfolio.

The first project, the Fort Green Power Plant, will be built on approximately 500 acres in Hardee County, Fla. The second project, the Bay Trail Solar Power Plant, will be built on approximately 500 acres in Citrus County, Fla.

The Fort Green site is a former phosphate mine and the Bay Trail facility is a future mining location, according to a March 15 news release.

"These solar power plants are examples of how mining sites can be developed for renewable energy and benefit our communities and the environment," Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president, said in the release.

In February, Duke Energy Florida broke ground on two other new solar projects, the 74.5-MW Duette Solar Power Plant and the 74.9-MW Charlie Creek Solar Power Plant.