PSC Approves Need Determination for TECO Plant Conversion

TECO will convert the units to a natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) facility at its Polk Power Station, a 2,800-acre site located in Polk County, currently home to its Polk Unit 1.  Polk 2-5 is expected to generate 1,195 megawatts (MW) of electricity in winter and 1,063 MW in the summer, enough to power almost 300,000 homes.

“This conversion will provide more efficient and reliable energy generation for TECO’s customers,” said PSC Chairman Ronald Brisé.  “The Polk 2-5 project will save fuel, lower emissions, and use treated wastewater for cooling – improvements that are good for customers and the environment.”

Projected to be completed by 2017, the conversion is the most cost effective alternative to meet the need for an expected increase in generation.

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