PSC APPROVES NEED FOR FPL'S PROPOSED TRANSMISSION LINE

The following information was released by the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC):

The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) today approved Florida Power and Light Companys (FPL) need for its proposed 79-mile 230 kilovolt (kV) transmission line. The line will run from FPLs existing Sweatt Substation in Okeechobee County to its Whidden Substation in DeSoto County.

The Sweatt-Whidden Project (SWP) is needed to improve the reliability for FPL customers served from the existing 69kV circuit between Okeechobee and Whidden substations. The SWP includes the construction of approximately 21 miles of a new single circuit 230kV transmission line in Okeechobee County and the conversion of approximately 59 miles of 69kV to 230kV in Okeechobee, Highlands, and DeSoto Counties. The line is expected to be completed and begin service in December 2025.

The PSC determined that this project is needed because it will enhance system reliability, increase power transfer capability, and meet local area load requirements for FPL customers in the region, said PSC Chairman Andrew Giles Fay. Approximately 75 percent of the new transmission line will follow the path of the existing transmission line, also making this project cost effective.

Section 403.537, Florida Statutes, directs the PSC to hold a hearing on a petition for determination of need for a jurisdictional transmission line. Todays PSC decision concluded the need determination hearing for FPLs petition.

FPL serves nearly 5.7 million customer accounts in Florida.