Florida Power & Light
Florida Power & Light is a regulated investor-owned electric utility serving much of Florida.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Florida Power & Light Company, commonly known as FPL, is an investor-owned electric utility and the principal Florida subsidiary of NextEra Energy. Headquartered in Juno Beach, the company generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electricity across a large service territory that includes Florida’s Atlantic coast, southwest Florida, and, following the integration of Gulf Power, northwest Florida. FPL is regulated by the Florida Public Service Commission and operates as a regulated monopoly within its assigned territory. The company was created in December 1925 when American Power & Light separated its Florida properties into a new subsidiary. Its formation followed the consolidation of several local power stations during the 1920s, when Florida’s growing population and commercial activity made isolated generating plants increasingly inadequate. A major Miami hurricane soon damaged the young company’s infrastructure; American Power & Light financed repairs and additional generating capacity. By early 1927, FPL reportedly served approximately 115,000 customers. During the postwar decades, FPL expanded generation and distribution infrastructure in line with Florida’s population growth. Its portfolio came to include fossil-fuel, nuclear, and renewable generation. Turkey Point, which entered service in 1972, became Florida’s first nuclear power plant, followed by the St. Lucie nuclear site in 1976. In 1978, FPL introduced Watt-Wise, an energy-audit program intended to improve household efficiency and reduce peak demand. The company later became an early adopter of quality-management programs and received the Deming Prize in 1989, the first non-Japanese company to do so. FPL was independently listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 1950. In 1984, its parent created FPL Group as a holding company. During the 1990s and 2000s, FPL Group expanded beyond the regulated Florida utility through investments in power generation, renewable energy, nuclear assets, and retail energy. FPL Energy was established in 1998 to manage much of that non-Florida activity. FPL Group and FPL Energy were subsequently renamed NextEra Energy and NextEra Energy Resources, respectively, while the regulated utility retained the FPL name. In the twenty-first century, FPL modernized older oil-fired facilities, added efficient natural-gas generation, expanded nuclear operations, and built one of the largest utility-scale solar portfolios in the United States. It began installing smart meters in 2009 and opened a Power Delivery Diagnostic Center in 2015 to use smart-grid data for outage management and system reliability. Its renewable initiatives have included the Solar for Schools program, the voluntary SolarNow community-solar program, solar canopies and solar trees, and battery-storage projects. A hybrid solar-thermal and natural-gas plant in Martin County began operating in 2011 and was retired in 2023. FPL’s service territory expanded substantially when Gulf Power, acquired by NextEra in 2019, was merged into FPL in 2021. Gulf Power initially continued as a separate FPL division while regulators considered rate consolidation. FPL also operates major nuclear, natural-gas, solar, and transmission assets and has programs focused on manatees, sea turtles, American crocodiles, and other wildlife near its facilities. The company is also one of Florida’s most politically influential utilities. It has faced criticism over lobbying, campaign spending, opposition to rooftop-solar net metering, rate increases, political consulting, and alleged efforts to influence news coverage and local elections. FPL and its parent have disputed or denied aspects of these allegations. These controversies coexist with the company’s central role in Florida’s electricity system and its large-scale investments in grid modernization, solar generation, and resilience.
History
Florida’s first electric stations were often attached to ice-manufacturing businesses, which sold surplus electricity when ice production was low. By the 1920s, demand had outgrown that model. In 1924 and 1925, American Power & Light acquired multiple Florida stations and connected them into a more dependable network. In December 1925, it established Florida Power & Light as a subsidiary to replace Miami Beach Electric Company. A hurricane in 1926 damaged much of the company’s young infrastructure, but American Power & Light funded repairs and two additional stations. FPL had reached approximately 115,000 customers by early 1927. The company expanded with Florida’s postwar population and tourism growth. It became independently listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 1950 and built substantial generating capacity during the 1960s and 1970s. Turkey Point began operating in October 1972 as Florida’s first nuclear power plant, and St. Lucie followed in 1976. FPL also developed demand-management initiatives, including the Watt-Wise home energy-audit program introduced in 1978. In 1984, FPL created FPL Group to manage acquisitions and other businesses. Its quality systems received international recognition when FPL became the first non-Japanese recipient of the Deming Prize in 1989. Beginning in 1990, the group expanded beyond Florida through power-generation investments. FPL Energy was formed in 1998 to manage activities outside the regulated Florida utility, including renewable generation and other competitive-market businesses. Major later investments included an interest in Seabrook Station Nuclear Power Plant and the acquisition of Gexa Energy. The group also created FPL FiberNet, a telecommunications operation. FPL modernized its generating fleet during the 2000s, replacing or supplementing older oil-fired facilities with natural-gas and dual-fuel plants. A proposed coal plant near Moore Haven was rejected by the Florida Public Service Commission in 2007. Around the end of the decade, FPL Group became NextEra Energy and FPL Energy became NextEra Energy Resources, separating the corporate identity of the parent from the continuing FPL utility brand. From 2009 onward, FPL expanded smart-meter deployment, grid diagnostics, renewable generation, and environmental mitigation. It built a hybrid solar-natural-gas plant in Martin County in 2011, began the Solar for Schools program in 2013, opened a Power Delivery Diagnostic Center in 2015, and developed the SolarNow community-solar initiative. It also built large solar facilities such as the DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center and a solar plant at the Kennedy Space Center. The Martin County hybrid facility was retired in 2023. FPL’s environmental programs have been shaped by the wildlife around its facilities. Cooling canals at Turkey Point provide habitat for American crocodiles and attract other protected species. The company has operated sea-turtle monitoring and tagging programs, while warm-water discharges at coastal plants have attracted manatees. When the Cape Canaveral plant was replaced, FPL funded pumps and heaters to maintain suitable manatee habitat during construction. A Manatee Education Center and observation area opened near the Riviera Beach facility in 2016. NextEra’s 2019 acquisition of Gulf Power led to its merger into FPL in 2021 and extended FPL’s territory into northwest Florida. In 2022, the company introduced a $25 minimum monthly bill. In 2023, it agreed to sell Florida City Gas to Chesapeake Utilities. FPL remains one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, with a large generation fleet, extensive transmission and distribution infrastructure, and a service base covering millions of Florida accounts. The company’s political role has generated persistent controversy. Reporting has examined campaign contributions, opposition to rooftop-solar net metering, alleged spoiler-candidate operations, relationships with political consultants, lobbying over local utility acquisitions, and alleged attempts to influence media coverage. FPL has disputed or denied aspects of these accounts. The company’s regulatory-monopoly status means that decisions about rates, renewable policy, grid investment, and service territory have significant effects on Florida households and businesses.
- 2023
Martin hybrid plant is retired
[1]The Martin County hybrid solar-natural-gas facility was decommissioned.
- 2021
Gulf Power joins FPL
[1]Gulf Power was merged into FPL, extending service into northwest Florida.
- 2015
SolarNow and the diagnostic center are introduced
[1]FPL launched its voluntary SolarNow program and opened a smart-grid Power Delivery Diagnostic Center.
- 2013
Solar for Schools expands
[1]FPL’s Solar for Schools program began installing solar arrays at Florida schools and educational nonprofits.
- 2011
Hybrid solar plant opens
[1]FPL opened a 75-megawatt hybrid solar-thermal and natural-gas facility in Martin County.
- 2009
Smart-meter rollout begins
[1]FPL began installing smart meters across its service territory.
- 1998
FPL Energy is created
[1]FPL Group established FPL Energy to manage electricity-market activities outside the regulated Florida utility.
- 1989
FPL receives the Deming Prize
[1]FPL became the first non-Japanese company to receive the quality-management award.
- 1978
Watt-Wise program launches
[1]FPL introduced a residential energy-audit initiative focused on efficiency and peak-demand reduction.
- 1972
Turkey Point nuclear generation begins
[1]Turkey Point’s first nuclear unit entered service, becoming Florida’s first nuclear power plant.
Products and positioning
A large, vertically integrated and regulated Florida electric utility positioned around reliability, grid modernization, storm resilience, nuclear generation, and increasingly large-scale solar power. Critics also associate the brand with monopoly power, rate-setting disputes, and extensive political influence.
Regulated utility service · 1925
FPL electricity service
FPL supplies electricity to residential, commercial, and industrial customers in its regulated Florida territory. The offering includes generation procurement and operation, transmission, local distribution, metering, billing, outage response, and storm-restoration services. Because FPL operates under state regulation, rates and major capital programs are subject to approval by the Florida Public Service Commission.
Community solar · 2015
SolarNow
SolarNow is a voluntary program through which participating FPL customers support the development of solar facilities without necessarily installing panels at their own homes. The program forms part of FPL’s broader strategy of deploying utility-scale and distributed solar across Florida.
Educational solar program · 2013
Solar for Schools
Solar for Schools provides solar installations at schools and nonprofit educational centers in Florida. In addition to generating electricity, the installations are intended to serve as educational resources that demonstrate renewable generation and energy efficiency to students and communities.
Energy efficiency · 1978
Watt-Wise
Watt-Wise was an early FPL residential energy-efficiency and auditing initiative. It was designed to help households identify ways to reduce consumption and to help the utility manage electricity demand during periods of peak system use.
Nuclear generation · 1972
Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant
Turkey Point is one of FPL’s two nuclear-generation sites. Its first nuclear unit entered service in 1972. The facility includes extensive cooling canals and has been the subject of environmental and safety discussions involving water use, evacuation planning, sea-level rise, and wildlife management.
Nuclear generation · 1976
St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant
The St. Lucie site on Florida’s Atlantic coast contains FPL nuclear generating units. It forms part of the company’s low-carbon generation portfolio and supplies electricity to the regulated Florida system.
Controversies
2021
Political consulting and spoiler-candidate allegations
Investigations linked FPL executives or associated consultants to campaigns involving spoiler candidates, shell companies, and efforts to influence political outcomes. The reporting also examined alleged media-placement operations and relationships with political consultants.
2021
Net-metering lobbying controversy
Reports alleged that FPL lobbied for legislation limiting rooftop-solar net metering and connected a political contribution by its parent company with a subsequent bill filing. The legislator involved denied that the contribution caused the filing.
2015
Turkey Point environmental criticism
South Florida mayors raised concerns about Turkey Point’s water use, evacuation zones, and vulnerability to rising sea levels. FPL said it was working toward solutions, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission later granted licenses related to expansion.
2009
Barley Barber Swamp access protest
Environmental activists protested near the Barley Barber Swamp, alleging that FPL was draining the area and restricting public access. FPL denied the allegations and said it was working with public authorities on reopening access. Seventeen protesters were arrested during the demonstration.
Marketing campaigns
- 2015SolarNow
Florida
A voluntary customer-supported community-solar initiative designed to expand access to utility-scale solar generation.
Outcome. Became part of FPL’s distributed and utility-scale solar strategy.
- 2013Solar for Schools
Florida
A program installing solar arrays at schools and nonprofit educational centers while using the sites for public education.
Outcome. Solar installations were reported at more than 100 schools and educational centers.
- 1978Watt-Wise
Florida
An energy-audit and efficiency campaign intended to reduce household electricity use and peak demand.
Outcome. Established FPL’s long-running demand-management tradition.
Brand decisions
2023
Agree to sell Florida City GasM&ABackground
FPL decided to divest its Florida City Gas business.
Action taken
FPL agreed to sell Florida City Gas to Chesapeake Utilities.
Aftermath
The reported transaction value was $923 million.
Reported transaction value. $923 million (September 2023)
2022
Introduce a $25 minimum monthly billPrice changeBackground
FPL adopted a minimum-bill structure under which customers pay a set minimum even with little or no electricity consumption.
Action taken
The company began charging a $25 minimum monthly bill.
Aftermath
The policy intensified debate over customer costs, rooftop solar, and the allocation of grid expenses.
Minimum monthly bill. $25 (July 2022)
2021
Integrate Gulf Power into FPLM&ABackground
NextEra Energy acquired Gulf Power in 2019, creating an opportunity to consolidate its Florida regulated utility operations.
Action taken
Gulf Power was merged into FPL, initially remaining a separate division while rate consolidation was reviewed.
Aftermath
FPL extended its service territory into northwest Florida and assumed Gulf Power’s interests in jointly owned generating plants.
2011
Open a hybrid solar-natural-gas plantProduct launchBackground
FPL sought to combine renewable solar generation with the flexibility of combined-cycle natural-gas technology.
Action taken
The company opened a 75-megawatt hybrid facility in Martin County.
Aftermath
The plant was later decommissioned in 2023.
2007
Coal-plant proposal is rejectedOtherBackground
FPL proposed a coal-fired generating plant near Moore Haven, Florida, prompting concerns about emissions and effects on the Everglades.
Action taken
The Florida Public Service Commission rejected the proposal.
Aftermath
FPL continued shifting its generation strategy toward natural gas, nuclear power, and renewable energy.
1984
Create FPL GroupStrategyBackground
FPL needed a corporate structure for acquisitions and businesses beyond the regulated Florida utility.
Action taken
The company created FPL Group as a holding company.
Aftermath
The structure supported expansion into non-Florida generation and related businesses before the group became NextEra Energy.
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
Reported
FPL receives EEI Emergency Response Award[2]
The Edison Electric Institute honored Florida Power & Light Company with its Emergency Response Award for helping other utilities and customers recover following Hurricane Ida in 2021.
Reported
FPL becomes a gold sponsor of the 2021 Edison Awards[3]
The Edison Awards announced Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) as a new gold sponsor for its 2021 awards.
Reported
FPL opens three Northeast Florida fast-charging stations[4]
FPL opened three fast-charging stations in Northeast Florida at Gate Petroleum in St. Augustine, Wildlight in Yulee, and Lake City Park and Ride.
- Unconfirmed
Florida Power & Light offers Main Street Recovery Credit Program[5]
Florida Power & Light is offering small businesses a new Main Street Recovery Credit Program with fee waivers, payment extensions and direct credits.
Reported
FPL and Miami-Dade County launch floating solar array[6]
Florida Power and Light partnered with the county to install a floating solar array at Miami International Airport; the installation launched Tuesday into the Blue Lagoon next to the airport.
Weekdays and relative dates follow the original report; their exact calendar dates have not been verified.
Reported
FPL and Brightline announce free rides for veterans[7]
Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) announced that it would partner with Brightline on Veteran’s Day, November 11, to provide veterans with free roundtrip rides and appreciation stations at Brightline locations.
Reported
FPL and Daytona International Speedway announce solar installation tie-up[8]
Florida Power & Light Company and Daytona International Speedway are entering into a tie-up to install solar power at the World Center of Racing.
Sources8 sources
- 1Florida Power & Lighten.wikipedia.org
- 2FPL获得EEI紧急响应奖nwfdailynews.com
- 3FPL成为2021年爱迪生奖的金级赞助商prweb.com
- 4FPL在佛罗里达州东北部开设三座快速充电站news.wjct.org
- 5Florida Power & Light 推出 Main Street Recovery Credit Programwflanews.iheart.com
- 6FPL与迈阿密-戴德县启用漂浮式太阳能阵列wptv.com
- 7FPL与Brightline宣布为退伍军人提供免费乘车communitynewspapers.com
- 8FPL与代托纳国际赛道宣布太阳能安装合作greentechlead.com
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