Menu

New Power Plant Started for First Time

This significant milestone marks a transition from construction to operation

ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 3, 2011 – A new power plant under construction at the Cane Island Power Park in Osceola County, Fla., was started today for the first time, a significant milestone as the high efficiency generating unit prepares for operation.

The natural gas-fueled generating unit, known as Cane Island Unit 4, conducted its “first fire” on Feb. 3, which refers to the first time fuel is ignited in the gas turbine. This is a major milestone signifying that the unit is nearing the end of its construction phase and transitioning to start-up and testing activities.

“Construction is going very well,” said Nick Guarriello, general manager and CEO of Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA), owner of the power plant. “All indications are that the unit will produce reliable, efficient and clean electricity for our customers when it begins commercial operation later this year.”

Cane Island Unit 4 incorporates advanced environmental control technologies that will make it one of the lowest emission and highest efficiency plants in Florida. Electricity from the facility will serve Kissimmee and 13 other Florida cities including Bushnell, Clewiston, Fort Meade, Fort Pierce, Green Cove Springs, Havana, Jacksonville Beach, Key West, Lake Worth, Leesburg, Newberry, Ocala and Starke.

The unit is wholly owned by the Florida Municipal Power Agency. It is being constructed by Zachry Industrial Incorporated and will be operated by Kissimmee Utility Authority.

# # #

Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA) is a wholesale power company owned by 30 municipal electric utilities. FMPA provides economies of scale in power generation and related services to support community-owned electric utilities. The members of FMPA serve approximately two million Floridians.

Social media & sharing icons powered by UltimatelySocial