JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – In a significant development for Jacksonville’s energy future, the JEA Board of Directors has unanimously voted to proceed with plans to build a brand-new generating plant.
This strategic move aims to enhance power generation capabilities and meet the community’s growing energy needs in the years to come.
The board evaluated two options: constructing a new plant or entering into a power purchase agreement with Florida Power and Light (FPL). After careful consideration, the board, along with JEA CEO Vickie Cavey, concluded that building a new facility would best serve the community’s long-term interests.
“This decision ensured that we will have the power needed to keep Jacksonville online, literally online, and with the power to keep life moving,” Cavey said. “I’m just so proud and happy with the board’s decision to support staff.”
The new generating plant will be located at the St. Johns River Power Park site, a former power plant operated by JEA and FPL. The last structures at the site were demolished several years ago. The new facility will replace the electricity generated by the Northside Generation Station Unit 3, which was built in 1977 and is set to be retired by 2031 due to its age.
“It’s almost 50 years old, running it and keeping it running has been amazing,” Cavey said. “It’s time to bring on some reliable, more cost effective, cleaner generation. JEA has always been a vertically integrated utility, meaning we generate, we transmit, we distribute, straight to the retail customers. That’s our strength.”
Joseph DiSalvo is the Board Chair and said now was the time to act.
“We have to be able to deliver reliable energy to everyone, all JEA customers,” DiSalvo said. “The risk is unacceptable if we punt combined cycle down the road. My personal view is that risk isn’t worth it.”
The planned facility will be a combined cycle power plant, similar to JEA’s existing Brandy Branch plant. It will utilize both gas and steam turbines to produce up to 50% more electricity from the same fuel compared to traditional power plants. The new plant will have the capacity to power 300,000 homes in Northeast Florida.
The new facility is expected to be operational by 2031, with the total project cost not to exceed $1.57 billion. JEA is acting now to secure a place in the gas turbine manufacturer’s production schedule, which fills up well in advance.
As JEA moves forward with plans for the new generating plant, the focus remains on ensuring reliable and efficient power supply for Jacksonville’s future. This investment represents a significant step toward meeting the community’s energy needs and supporting continued growth and development.