The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) today determined there is a need for Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) to replace its power plant in Broward County with a more efficient clean energy center. Expected to begin service in 2022, the new plant will increase system reliability at a reduced cost for FPL customers.

“The Dania Beach Clean Energy Center will save FPL customers from $299 to $364 million, as well as generate additional tax revenues for local governments and new jobs during the plant’s construction,” said PSC Chairman Art Graham. “The new plant will also reduce harmful air emissions, helping environmental quality.”

Commissioners agreed that retiring FPL’s existing Lauderdale plant this year, and reusing its infrastructure for the new facility is the most cost effective way to meet customers’ increasing power needs. Dania Beach will be a modernized 1,163 megawatt plant and will not require any new transmission lines, substation facilities, gas pipelines, or water supply. The project is expected to cost $888 million.

The existing Lauderdale plant has been upgraded or re-powered three times since its construction in 1925 as FPL’s first power plant. In contrast to Lauderdale, the new Dania Beach facility’s emission rates will be reduced by 95 percent for nitrogen oxide and by 22 percent for carbon dioxide, and its water allocation for power generation will be reduced by 1.0 to 1.69 million gallons per day.

FPL serves 4.9 million customer accounts across the state.

For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.

Follow the PSC on Twitter, @floridapsc.