Considered one of the most important projects for Duke Energy, the combined-cycle natural gas (NG) plant in Citrus County, Florida, is among the largest currently under construction in the industry. In its completion, it will include various piping systems, using materials ranging from chrome molly, stainless steel and high-density polyethylene to ductile iron, carbon steel and concrete. The USD $1.5 billion, state-of-the-art plant will supply 1,640 megawatts of electricity to help serve the state’s approximately 1.7 million customers in 2018.
The plant will use clean-burning, highly efficient technology. It also will benefit the local economy and tax base. Construction and other activities are predicted to have an economic benefit of more than USD $600 million and create hundreds of temporary construction jobs.
The facility will receive natural gas through a 500 miles (804 km) pipeline that Sabal Trail Transmission is constructing. The $3-billion pipeline will start in Alabama, extend through Georgia and end in central Florida. Sabal Trail Transmission will license, construct and operate the natural gas pipeline. The company expects to receive the natural gas as early as October 2017 to facilitate startup testing for the structure. In May, 2015, Duke Energy announced a $225 million investment and became a 7.5 percent owner of the Sabal Trail pipeline. As part owner, Duke Energy will be able to closely monitor the pipeline.