Fact Sheet

Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA) is a wholesale power agency owned by municipal electric utilities. FMPA provides economies of scale in power generation and related services to support community-owned electric utilities.

Joint action to help reduce the cost of power

Each utility is locally owned and operated; however, municipal utilities share common concerns that can best be solved by working together. For example, by coordinating the power supply needs of several municipals, a larger, more efficient plant can be built, and other economies of scale help reduce the cost of power. In addition, through joint action, municipal utilities can obtain power from several power plants rather than depend on the operation and cost of fewer plants.

Authorized to undertake joint projects for members

Local governments are authorized by Florida Statutes to enter together into mutually advantageous agreements that create a separate legal entity. FMPA was formed in 1978 as one such governmental legal entity. FMPA is specifically authorized under Florida law to undertake specific joint projects for its members and to issue tax-exempt bonds and other obligations to finance the costs of such projects.

Owned by 30 municipal electric systems

Thirty municipal electric systems, serving approximately 2 million Floridians, are members of FMPA. Each member appoints one representative to FMPA’s Board of Directors, which governs the Agency's activities. Additionally, each member of FMPA's largest power supply project, the All-Requirements Project, appoints a representative to FMPA's Executive Committee. The Executive Committee governs and manages the business affairs of the All-Requirements Project.

Autonomous power projects

Due to the diverse needs of municipal electric systems, FMPA was established as a project-oriented agency. Under this structure, each member has the option whether or not to participate in a project. Members may join more than one project; however, each project is independent from the others, so no revenues or funds available from one project can be used to pay the costs of another project.

Five power supply projects

FMPA has five power supply projects. The Agency supplies all the power needs for 14 of its members and some of the power needs for six of its members. Some members do not currently participate in a project. FMPA supplies nearly 50% of its members’ power needs.

Full-time staff of 70

FMPA has a staff of approximately 70 full-time positions. In addition, FMPA has a few part-time positions and a few contract positions.