Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA), in conjunction with participating Florida municipal electric utilities and Origis Energy, announced the completion of Rice Creek Solar Energy Center, which is supplying nearly 75 MWAC of carbon-free electricity to 12 Florida cities.
Rice Creek Solar is the third solar site in the Florida Municipal Solar Project, one of the largest municipal-backed solar projects in the U.S. Located in Putnam County, near Palatka, it consists of 213,000 solar panels that generate enough power for approximately 14,000 homes.
The 12 utilities that will receive power from the Rice Creek solar facility include Beaches Energy Services (Jacksonville Beach), Fort Pierce Utilities Authority, Homestead, Keys Energy Services (Key West), Kissimmee Utility Authority, Lake Worth Beach, Mount Dora, New Smyrna Beach Utilities, Newberry, Ocala, Town of Havana and Winter Park. This is the first solar power project for Havana, New Smyrna Beach and Newberry.
“We are excited to expand our solar power generation and bring even more affordable and clean energy to our members,” said Jacob Williams, general manager and CEO of the Orlando-based wholesale power agency. “By working together, our Members and their communities benefit from additional solar-powered energy that’s both cost-effective and carbon-free.”
FMPA serves as the project coordinator, and the 12 municipal utilities, who are member-owners of FMPA, will purchase power from the project. Miami-based Origis Energy, a leading renewable energy and decarbonization solution platform, is the builder, owner and operator.
“FMPA is doing all it can to bring cost-effective clean energy to a large base of customers in the Sunshine state,” said Josh Teigiser, managing director of origination and clean hydrogen for Origis Energy. “We are honored to support this FMPA work. Long-term agreements for solar generation, including for Rice Creek Solar, provide a stable rate base contributing to lower and more predictable customers’ bills.”
As part of the expansion of the Florida Municipal Solar Project, a fourth solar site, Whistling Duck Solar in Levy County, began construction at the end of 2024. The FMSP is expected to increase to seven sites over the next few years and will generate approximately 525 MWAC of power in total.
News item from Florida Municipal Power Agency
