Review of 2008 Ten-Year Site Plans - Public Service Commission

The addition of nuclear capacity will help to provide further diversity to Florida’s generation
mix. Table 10 below summarizes the new nuclear projects which have been granted a determination
of need by the Commission.
Table 10. Nuclear Capacity Additions
Utility Name Summer Capacity (MW) In-Service
PEF Crystal River Unit 3 8 37 & 129 12/2009 & 12/2011
FPL St. Lucie 1 & 2 9 1,103 each Fall 2011 & Spring 2012
FPL Turkey Pt. 3 & 4 9 1,104 each Spring 2012 & Fall 2012
PEF Levy Units 1 & 2 10 1,092 each 6/2016 & 6/2017
FPL Turkey Pt. 6 & 7 11 1,100 each 2018 & 2020
Total 4,964
Nuclear power plant construction is capital-intensive and has a long lead time, and
uncertainty remains with regard to future capital costs and fuel prices. The Commission, however,
will review the continued feasibility of both Levy Units 1 & 2 and Turkey Point 6 & 7 during its
annual nuclear cost recovery proceedings. Such proceedings provide the Commission with a forum to
ensure that construction of the nuclear units continues to be in the best interest of ratepayers.
Natural Gas
Because of the long permitting and construction periods involved with nuclear generating
plants, coupled with the cancellation of more than 3,500 MW of coal-fired generation, additional
natural gas-fired generation has been planned in the interim. The 2008 Ten-Year Site Plans include
the net addition of approximately 15,500 MW of natural gas generation. The 2007 Ten-Year Site
Plans included roughly 13,100 MW. The increase of proposed natural gas generation is attributable to
the cancellation of several coal plants.
In 2008, the Commission approved the determination of need for two new natural gas-fired
power plants. FMPA was granted a determination of need for a 300 MW natural gas-fired combined
cycle generator at the company’s existing Cane Island site which has an in-service date of June 2011.
The Commission also granted FPL a determination of need for West County Energy Center 3
(WCEC 3), a 1,219 MW combined cycle unit with a 2011 in-service date. The addition of WCEC 3
8 Order No. PSC-07-0119-FOF-EI, issued February 8, 2007, Docket No. 060642-EI, In re: Petition for determination of
need for expansion of Crystal River 3 nuclear power plant, for exemption from Bid Rule 25-22.082, Florida Administrative
Code, and for cost recovery through fuel clause, by Progress Energy Florida, Inc.
9 Order No. PSC-08-0021-FOF-EI, issued January 7, 2008, Docket No. 070602-EI, In re: Petition for determination of need
for expansion of Turkey Point and St. Lucie nuclear power plants, for exemption from Bid Rule 25-22.082, F.A.C., and for
cost recovery through the Commission's Nuclear Power Plant Cost Recovery Rule, Rule 25-6.0423, F.A.C.
10 Order No. PSC-08-0518-FOF-EI, issued August 12, 2008, Docket No. 080148-EI, In re: Petition for
determination of need for Levy Units 1 and 2 nuclear power plants, by Progress Energy Florida, Inc.
11 Order No. PSC-08-0237-FOF-EI, issued April 11, 2008, Docket No. 070650-EI, In re: Petition to determine need
for Turkey Point Nuclear Units 6 and 7 electrical power plant, by Florida Power & Light Company.
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