Florida Power & Light Co. says it will meet future customergrowth in this decade by increasing the electricity generatingcapability of its system by 24% using environmentally friendlynatural-gas technology.

In a newly released report, FPL said the 4,500 MW of generationthat the utility plans to add to its system by 2009 consists of anumber of projects currently in construction; additional “peaking”units to meet increased state reserve margins, and newcombined-cycle power generating units. Projects representing about2,600 MW currently are in various stages of construction and arescheduled to be in service by 2004.

“Our expansion program also reflects our commitment to remainone of the cleanest utilities in the country,” said FPL PresidentPaul Evanson.

FPL’s plan is part of its 10-Year Power Plant Site Plan, whichis annually updated and filed with the Florida Public ServiceCommission. The plan includes the previously announced repoweringof the Fort Myers plant in southwest Florida and the Sanford plantrepowering in Central Florida. Currently in construction, bothprojects convert some of FPL’s oldest plants to more efficientnatural gas-fired combined cycle generation, using existing sitesand some existing equipment. The two repowering projects will addmore than 2,000 MW to the FPL system. Fort Myers will be fullyoperational in mid-2002 and Sanford at the start of 2003.

The 10-year plan also calls for adding approximately 600 MW ofsimple-cycle, natural gas-fired “peaking” units. Half of the newpeaking capacity will be added to FPL’s East Coast Martin powerplant in 2001 and the other half to the repowered Fort Myers sitein 2003.

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