JEA has solidified agreements for the development of three solar renewable energy facilities in its service territory, marking a significant step in the utility’s journey toward a sustainable future.
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Collectively, these solar sites will generate 200 megawatts (MW) of power, enough to provide electricity to more than 37,000 households. The utility is also considering integrating battery storage with these solar sites to bolster its 2030 clean energy goals.
“These solar energy installations are an investment in sustainability and reducing emissions for our community for generations to come,” said Vickie Cavey, JEA Interim General Director and CEO. “This is a crucial step to help us meet our clean energy goals.”
JEA Integrated Resource Plan aims to reduce carbon emissions and incorporate more emission-free resources into its fleet of power plants, targeting 35% clean energy by 2030.
Florida Renewable Partners (FRP) will build, own and operate the three solar facilities, which will be critical to advancing clean energy in Northeast Florida. FRP will lease the land from JEA and sell the energy produced back to the utility under 35-year Power Purchase Agreements, ensuring economic access to new electrical generation for JEA.
Licensing for the solar sites is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2024, with completion and energy production expected by the end of 2026.
JEA has been an advocate for solar energy since the 1990s, purchasing power from eight solar installations ranging from 1 MW to 12 MW. The addition of the new sites will increase the share of solar energy in JEA’s mix by 3%, complementing its current mix of approximately 10% nuclear and 4% other renewable resources.
At full capacity, the new solar installations will provide enough electricity to power more than 37,000 homes in Northeast Florida, which is equivalent to avoiding nearly 200,000 metric tons of carbon emissions annually, or greenhouse gas emissions of about 47,000 passenger vehicles driven for one year.
During the permitting process, FRP and JEA will ensure the preservation of wetlands on site to maintain the sustainability of these new solar installations for years to come.
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