Lakeland Electric will purchase $9.2 million over the next two years to ensure its customers have the power to keep their lights on and air conditioners cranked up in the summer heat.
Lakeland commissioners unanimously approved extending the municipal-owned utility’s power purchase agreement with the Orlando Utilities Commission on Monday through Dec. 31, 2026.
In 2021, Lakeland Electric’s peak summer load hit 692 megawatts. The city’s needs have continued to grow over time, reaching a peak summer demand of 752 megawatts last year.
“The whole state of Florida surprised everybody,” Shipp said. “The temperature was high last year and we had a 752 peak last year.”
Lakeland Electric’s new plant, consisting of six RICE engines, is anticipated to begin the process of commissioning and producing power in November. Once it comes online, LE will have the capacity to produce 778 megawatts of power.
The two-year extension to Lakeland Electric’s agreement with OUC will secure access to 100 megawatts of additional power capacity during the summer months of June to September — bringing its total to 885 megawatts. It will secure 50 megawatts of generating capacity the rest of the year. The $9.2 million price tag covers the cost of security the generation capacity and its transmission, but does not include the actual power purchased. Lakeland Electric aims to produce 80% of its own power and purchase 20% through a shared power pool or grid with other utilities.
The city of Lakeland’s municipal utility has contracted German-based MAN to supply six 18V51/60G reciprocating internal combustion engines for the new McIntosh power plant.