Powering South Florida for Nearly 100 Years: FPL’s Energy Legacy
+4 Powering South Florida for Nearly 100 Years: FPL’s Energy Legacy
Powering South Florida for Nearly 100 Years: FPL’s Energy Legacy
Powering South Florida for Nearly 100 Years: FPL’s Energy Legacy
Powering South Florida for Nearly 100 Years: FPL’s Energy Legacy
Powering South Florida for Nearly 100 Years: FPL’s Energy Legacy
Powering South Florida for Nearly 100 Years: FPL’s Energy Legacy
Powering South Florida for Nearly 100 Years: FPL’s Energy Legacy
Don’t Miss This Milestone: FPL’s First Power Plant Powers Nearly a Century of Progress in South Florida
Since 1927, Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) has been energizing South Florida — quite literally. What began as a “super power plant” nearly 100 years ago has transformed into today’s Dania Beach Clean Energy Center, a modern, high-efficiency facility that still plays a crucial role in keeping the lights on for hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses.
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FPL’s first-ever power plant has grown with the community it serves. Originally supplying electricity to about 110,000 homes, it now supports more than 720,000 customers, a sixfold increase in capacity that mirrors Florida’s explosive growth over the past century.
From Legacy to Leadership
FPL’s journey has been one of bold transformation. By retiring old, less efficient power plants and building state-of-the-art natural gas combined-cycle units, the company has helped customers save more than $16 billion in fuel costs since 2001. In 2024 alone, FPL’s fuel-efficient technologies saved customers $867 million.
These savings come with a serious side of reliability. As South Florida’s energy demands grow, the Dania Beach Clean Energy Center has evolved to meet the challenge — consistently modernized to ensure cleaner, more reliable power.
A Front-Row Seat to Innovation
FPL Instrument and Control Specialist Roy West has witnessed this transformation firsthand during his 40-year career. He recalls his early days in 1992, when the company undertook a landmark upgrade — demolishing 24 old units and replacing them with just five high-efficiency units capable of generating the same power output.
“It was the first time in our company’s history that we did something like that,” West said. “It was a game-changer, not only for FPL but for the entire industry.”
Newspapers at the time called it “the largest gas turbine repowering project of its kind.” It was one of several key milestones in the plant’s modernization journey — all focused on efficiency, innovation, and affordability.
Engineering the Future
The plant’s most recent transformation took place in 2018, replacing aging infrastructure with advanced systems that deliver more power, use less fuel, and produce fewer emissions. For Fabián Camacho, FPL’s Senior Manager of Turbine Engineering, overseeing the construction and launch of this next-gen facility was both a professional and personal triumph.
“Watching this plant evolve from blueprint to modern operation has been extraordinary,” said Camacho, who joined FPL in 2007. “Its increased capacity is a direct reflection of our commitment to innovation and efficiency.”
Even more rewarding? Watching the team grow alongside the technology.
“One of the most gratifying aspects has been seeing how seamlessly our people transitioned from construction to full operations,” Camacho added.
Beyond Power: A Commitment to Community
More than just a power source, the Dania Beach facility is deeply woven into the fabric of the community. From local job creation to economic development, its impact is broad and lasting.
“This plant is proof of our long-term commitment to the communities we serve,” said Juliet Roulhac, FPL’s Director of External Affairs for Broward and Southwest Florida. “It powers growth, supports small businesses, and helps sustain local economies.”
Dania Beach Mayor Joyce Davis echoed that sentiment. “I’m proud to be the mayor of Broward’s first city — and proud to host FPL’s very first power plant right here in our backyard,” she said.
Over the years, FPL has contributed far more than energy. Community murals, playgrounds, basketball courts, and even small business grants through the local Chamber of Commerce are just a few examples of how the utility gives back.
“This plant has done more than just keep the lights on — it’s helped shape who we are as a community,” Davis added. “FPL has never stopped showing up for us.”
The Dania Beach Clean Energy Center isn’t just part of the past — it’s leading the charge into Florida’s clean energy future. And after nearly 100 years of service, it’s clear that FPL’s first power plant is still making history.
