FPL Group, parent of Florida Power and Light, is buying 66gas-fired turbines (model 7FA) and a generation services agreementfrom General Electric for $3.7 billion. The turbines will supportthe expansion underway at Florida Power as well as the continuedrapid growth of the corporation’s independent power productionsubsidiary, FPL Energy LLC. Under the agreement, GE will deliverthe turbines starting this year through 2004 and will providesupport services through 2011.

“FPL Group is committed to serving the growing energy needs ofour 3.8 million customers in Florida by adding 2,600 MW ofgenerating capacity by 2004 and a total of 4,600 MW over the nextten years,” said Tony Rodriguez, FPL senior vice president of powergeneration. “We also expect to add substantially to our FPL Energyportfolio over the next several years, much of which should comefrom building new gas-fired combined cycle plants.

GE Power Systems CEO Robert L. Nardelli said the 7FA units are”the most reliable, most environmentally friendly units available.”Florida Power & Light has a power supply capacity of 18,800 MW,more than 16,000 of which is generated from its own plants. FPLEnergy currently owns 3,072 MW of generating capacity.

©Copyright 2000 Intelligence Press Inc. All rights reserved. Thepreceding news report may not be republished or redistributed, inwhole or in part, in any form, without prior written consent ofIntelligence Press, Inc.