News Releases

Power Plant Prepares for Commercial Operation

FORT PIERCE, Fla., Feb. 11, 2008 — The Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA) successfully started for the first time the gas turbine of its newest power plant Sunday as the facility prepares to serve electric customers.

Treasure Coast Energy Center, a 300 megawatt natural gas-fired power plant located near Fort Pierce, Fla., conducted its “first fire,” which refers to the first time fuel is ignited in the gas turbine. This process allows engineers and operators to continue testing the plant’s supporting systems.

“First fire marks the beginning of the final testing and start-up phase of this important project,” said FMPA General Manager and CEO Roger Fontes. “When the plant begins operation, it will provide reliable, cost-effective and clean power to our growing member communities.”

Treasure Coast Energy Center will generate enough electricity to serve approximately 60,000 homes in the 15 cities served by FMPA’s All-Requirements Project. Members of the project include Bushnell, Clewiston, Fort Meade, Fort Pierce, Green Cove Springs, Havana, Jacksonville Beach, Key West, Kissimmee, Lake Worth, Leesburg, Newberry, Ocala, Starke and Vero Beach.

Commercial operation is scheduled for May 2008.

The $273 million project incorporates advanced environmental control technologies, which will make the plant one of the lowest emission and highest efficiency plants in Florida. Treasure Coast Energy Center will be wholly owned by Florida Municipal Power Agency, and it will be operated under contract by Fort Pierce Utilities Authority.

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Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA) is a wholesale power company owned by 30 municipal electric utilities. FMPA provides economies of scale in power generation and related services to support community-owned electric utilities. The members of FMPA serve approximately 2 million Floridians. FMPA’s members include Alachua, Bartow, Blountstown, Bushnell, Chattahoochee, Clewiston, Fort Meade, Fort Pierce, Gainesville, Green Cove Springs, Havana, Homestead, Jacksonville Beach, Key West, Kissimmee, Lake Worth, Lakeland, Leesburg, Moore Haven, Mount Dora, New Smyrna Beach, Newberry, Ocala, Orlando, Quincy, St. Cloud, Starke, Vero Beach, Wauchula and Williston. Additional information is available on the Internet at www.fmpa.com.

Media Contact:
Mark McCain
Assistant General Manager,
Public Relations and Human Resources
(407) 355-7767