The statements came from Benjamin M. H. Borsch, managing director of Integrated Resource Planning and Analytics, who oversees the studies of proposed and alternative generation projects for Duke Energy Florida. Borsch added that the property is well suited for generation projects because it has access to water but is not at risk for storm surge, and there are scheduled upgrades to the site’s transmission system.
But . . . not yet: Duke spokeswoman Ana Gibbs said in a statement that there is no nuclear currently planned for Duke Energy Florida. The company's Ten-Year Site Plan proposes new solar and upgrading existing generation units. "Advanced nuclear overall is still a longer-term option,” Gibbs said. “As utilities across the nation move toward a carbon-free future, nuclear is an important and demonstrated technology that can provide reliable baseload power to help maintain reliability as renewable generation and grid edge technology increases. As energy needs grow rapidly, Duke Energy will continue to meet them reliably with an all-of-the-above approach that includes potential investments in nuclear, natural gas, renewables, and battery storage, as well as energy efficiency and demand response.”
Push for nuclear: As energy demand grows across the country, nuclear power is being eyed by the government and private investors. The Florida Public Utilities Commission during the next year will study the feasibility of siting microreactors at military bases in the state after the Biden administration issued a call for such projects in June.
Also last month, Bill Gates-backed TerraPower started construction in Wyoming of what could be the first SMR to come on line in the United States. Meanwhile, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is reviewing TerraPower’s license application.
Site history: Duke Energy publicly abandoned plans for a nuclear plant at the Levy County site in 2017 after controversy arose around the proposal. Environmentalists and consumer advocates staunchly opposed the project, which called for the construction of two AP1000 nuclear reactors to help meet growing energy demand in the region.
In a press release at the time, Duke promised to absorb $150 million in costs from the stalled project, and Florida ratepayers were given $2.50 per 1,000 kilowatt-hours in savings by removing the Levy project from the rate base.
Duke Energy announced the retirement of the nearby Crystal River nuclear plant in 2013 after serious and costly damage was discovered in the reactor building’s concrete. On the horizon is the planned retirement of coal units at Crystal River North in 2034.
What’s next: Duke’s pending Florida rate hike request includes a proposal to charge consumers a collective $94 million to hold the Levy County land for a future power plant.
