Our wholesale power supplier, Seminole Electric Cooperative, has one of the largest renewable energy portfolios in Florida. This year we expect to meet about 4% of our energy needs with renewables, while the average for Florida utilities is closer to 2%. A bonus: Every one of our renewable resources is right here in Florida, benefiting our economy, our residents, and the environment. We have been very fortunate in that, unlike some utilities, we haven’t needed to solicit customer contributions to support renewable energy, thanks to Seminole’s success in securing cost effective renewable resources. Seminole currently has about 100 megawatts (MW) – that’s 100,000 kilowatts (kW) – of renewable resources under contract and is working to expand that portfolio.

You may have read or seen the Governor’s July 2008 announcement that Seminole is talking with a U.S. subsidiary of a Spanish solar company about a possible solar thermoelectric plant in Florida. Seminole also is talking to other suppliers that responded to its May 2008 request for up to 250 MW of additional renewable resources. Seminole’s renewable portfolio currently consists of resources that use biomass, landfill gas, and municipal waste to produce electricity.

These facilities produce energy almost as reliably as a traditional fossil fueled or nuclear power plant. Four of Seminole’s member systems, including your Co-op, also get a total of 26 megawatts of renewable energy from a federal hydropower project under contracts that preceded Seminole’s formation in February 1948. Wind turbines are another source of renewable energy. While they are very productive in some areas of the U.S., wind turbines aren’t cost effective in Florida due to our lack of consistent winds. Solar energy, however, is another matter.¹

As new technologies are developed which lower costs and land use requirements, solar could play an increasing role in Florida’s energy future. The productive times for solar facilities coincide almost exactly with the times when energy use peaks in our state – mid day. However, the sun doesn’t shine all the time so every kW of solar capacity we secure must be “backed up” with a more reliable resource, such as a generating unit fueled by natural gas that we can put into service as needed. On those days when the sun can be used, it could offset the use of natural gas and other fossil fuels, a win for our Co-op and our state.

When it comes to developing tomorrow’s new renewable technologies, Co-ops are doing their part. Both our Co-op and Seminole are members of the Cooperative Research Network (CRN). The CRN monitors, evaluates, and applies new technologies that can help electric Co-ops control costs, increase productivity, and enhance consumer services. As part of its mission, CRN studies and reports on emerging renewable technologies to ensure innovative and sound business decision-making in their deployment. Seminole also is a member of the National Renewables Cooperative organization (NRCO), which is working to develop new renewable energy projects by member Co-ops across the U.S. Working together, we will continue to make Florida cleaner and greener while safeguarding our economy by supporting the development of new renewable resources.

We also are working on a new program to help our members conserve energy in ways that won’t negatively impact your life – or your lifestyle. Conservation is one way we all can help slow the need to build new generating resources. It also will lower your electric bill – a benefit we all can enjoy.  

¹The National Renewable Energy Laboratory gives Florida poor ratings regarding the use of wind production. The lab rated the state about average for its solar energy potential. (Panama City News-Herald, Aug. 8, 2008)