TALLAHASSEE, Florida — Florida Power & Light Co. said it welcomes electricity-hungry data centers despite claims from developers that the company’s proposed new rate structure could leave the state behind economically.
Details: FPL, which serves more than half the state’s population, filed responses Wednesday to testimony from groups challenging the company’s $2.5 billion rate request pending before state regulators.
The Florida Energy for Innovation Association, which represents potential data center developers, said last month that FPL’s request, including new rates for “large load” customers, threatens to undermine state economic development efforts. But the utility on Wednesday reasserted that it is trying to prevent other customers from paying more to supply power to data centers when they arrive.
“FPL welcomes data centers to our service area and supports their efficient growth and development,” the company’s Tiffany C. Cohen said in rebuttal testimony filed with the Public Service Commission. Cohen is FPL’s vice president of financial planning and rate strategy.
