Sand Lake Energy Center first of three power plants under contract for acquisition to begin operations for FMPA

ORLANDO, Fla., February 16, 2024 – Today, Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA) announced it has taken ownership of an Orlando-area, natural gas combined cycle generation plant. The facility is immediately available and ready for dispatch within the Florida Municipal power pool. Now owned and operated by FMPA, the newly named Sand Lake Energy Center will supply 120 MW of electricity to 13 Florida communities, including Bushnell, Clewiston, Fort Meade, Fort Pierce, Green Cove Springs, Havana, Jacksonville Beach, Key West, Kissimmee, Leesburg, Newberry, Ocala and Starke.

“We are excited to begin operations as the new owners at Sand Lake Energy Center with the existing team who operated that plant so well for several decades,” said Jacob Williams, CEO and general manager at FMPA. “This natural gas power generation source helps us to provide affordable, reliable and low-emitting power for the members we serve as we transition away from higher-cost and higher- emitting coal generation.”

The facility began commercial operations in September 1993, and during most of its life, has been in long-term power purchase contracts, the most recent of which ended in December 2023. The assets have traditionally operated at high availability and capacity factors, and FMPA anticipates continued reliability from these assets.

FMPA first announced agreements to purchase three central Florida power plants last summer. The remaining two facilities, located near Bartow, begin operations in August 2024 and January 2026, respectively. 

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Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA) is a wholesale power agency owned by 33 municipal electric utilities. FMPA’s mission is to provide low-cost, reliable and clean power for FMPA’s owner customers that benefit their communities and customers. The 33 members of FMPA serve more than 3 million Florida residents and employ more than 4,700 people.