Utility heralds new solar power plant

OUC, officials also declare plans to use more clean energy

When alarms go off at Orlando’s fire stations from now on, they will be powered by electricity — symbolically at least — from the city’s newest solar plant.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said Wednesday the city will subscribe to nearly five megawatts of electricity generated by the Orlando Utilities Commission newly built solar plant in east Orange County.

That’s enough power, according to city staffers, for 17 fire stations and the nine-story city hall.

Dyer said city government must “walk the walk” in cleanenergy efforts.

That $15 million cranking out enough plant, energy for 2,100 homes, will be dedicated today by Dyer and Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs as the Kenneth P. Ksionek Community Solar Farm.

Ksionek, who’s led OUC since 2004, is retiring.

At the dedication, Dyer will announce the move to tap solar power for fire stations, while OUC expects to reveal plans for more — and far larger — solar plants, keeping with a trend among utilities across Florida.

OUC previously has hinted the new solar initiatives could amount to about 100 megawatts and perhaps include several plants.

One of the plants would float on lakes at OUC’s power campus in east Orange County and be at least the size of the newly built plant.

Florida has lagged for years in solar energy production.

But, electric utilities are pushing Florida to a possible top-five ranking among states for solar energy within the next few years, said Jim Fenton, director of the University of Central Florida’s solar center.

Dyer said purchasing enough solar power for the fire station and city hall is part of a push to wean city facilities by 2030 from relying on electricity produced by burning coal and natural gas.

According to city staffers, the 17 fire stations have an annual power bill of more than $265,000, while the nine-story city hall has a yearly bill of