The project has been designed to meet the increasing energy needs of those living and working in central Florida.
The project is expected to increase the ability of Duke Energy and neighboring electric utilities to provide safe and reliable energy to homes, community facilities and businesses by connecting the Osprey Energy Center to existing substations in Kathleen and Haines City.
Under the project, the new 230kV Kathleen Transmission Line will extend from the Osprey Energy Center 26.2 miles west to the existing Kathleen substation, and the new 230kV Haines City Transmission Line from the Osprey Energy Center 21.4 miles east to the existing Haines City East substation.
Duke Energy has reviewed community input and factors such as safety, reliability, land use, cultural and natural resources and selected a route with the least overall impact to homes, personal property, businesses, environment and the community.
The company received approximately 300 comments from residents and members of the public during the open comment period.
Duke Energy Florida president Catherine Stempien said: “We appreciate the public’s participation throughout the planning phase of this project.
“Know we are committed to continuing to engage the affected communities and keep them informed as we build an energy backbone to support the tremendous growth and development now underway in Polk County.”
The company will take up land surveying activities along the route for six months from January 2019. The results will be used to determine the exact location and alignment of the routes, and identify where easements may be needed on individual properties.
Duke Energy will work with property owners of areas that are identified for the construction, operation and maintenance of the new 230kV transmission lines.
Construction of the Polk County Reliability Project is expected to commence in 2021 and continue until the line becomes operational in 2024.
