Duke Energy Florida has completed efficiency upgrades at the Bartow Power Plant in St. Petersburg and two units at the Hines Energy Complex in Bartow. These improvements allow the plants to generate a combined total of 255 megawatts (MW) of additional energy without increasing fuel use.
Alongside earlier upgrades at the Osprey Energy Center in Auburndale and the Citrus Combined Cycle Station in Crystal River, more than 330 MW have been added to Duke Energy Florida’s system. The company states that these projects, completed at four natural gas plants across Florida, have led to an estimated $340 million in annual fuel savings for customers.
The company passes fuel costs directly to its customers without making a profit on them. As a result of these projects, average monthly bills have been reduced by about $10. Additionally, customers saved $70 million in 2025 due to decreased need for purchasing extra power.
According to Duke Energy Florida, further upgrades are planned through early 2027. The next phase will include work at additional units at the Citrus Combined Cycle Station and the Tiger Bay Power Plant in Fort Meade, which is expected to add over 450 MW to the grid.
The company also reports that these efficiency efforts have reduced its annual carbon footprint by 325,000 tons of carbon so far.
“Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, every single day, so we’re always looking for new, innovative ways to keep their costs as low as possible, while still providing the reliable, resilient power they need,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. “We’re already reducing rates in early 2026, and these efficiency upgrades are just another tool in our toolbox – one that will have a lasting impact on their bills.”
Duke Energy Florida says its efficient natural gas plants help keep residential customer costs about 12% below the national average. The company also notes that its natural gas plants can quickly adjust output to meet changes in demand and support integration of renewable energy sources across Florida.
Duke Energy Florida is a subsidiary of Duke Energy and operates with 12,300 MW of energy capacity serving approximately two million customers across a service area covering 13,000 square miles in Florida.
More information on Duke Energy Florida’s operations can be found on its website and news center.
