FPL to build solar-energy center just outside Indiantown; fourth in western Martin County

Lina Ruiz, Treasure Coast Newspapers
·1 min read

MARTIN COUNTY — Florida Power & Light Co. continues to expand its footprint in western Martin County with a fourth solar facility slated just outside Indiantown.

Construction on the 600-acre White Tail Solar Energy Center is to start in April and be complete in January 2024, according to project director Matt Silver. The 74.5-megawatt facility, located north of Southwest Citrus Boulevard, will power about 15,000 homes.

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It will generate an estimated $200,000-$300,000 annually in tax revenue, FPL spokesperson Alyssa Ten Eyck told TCPalm. FPL’s solar centers typically cost about $90 million to build, she said.

White Tail Solar Energy Center was approved unanimously by the County Commission on Tuesday. It’s expected to go online around the same time as the slated Monarch Solar Energy Center, which is to be built southwest of FPL’s former Indiantown Cogeneration coal plant.

Florida Power & Light Co.'s White Tail Solar Energy Center is to be located north of Southwest Citrus Boulevard near Indiantown in western Martin County.
Florida Power & Light Co.'s White Tail Solar Energy Center is to be located north of Southwest Citrus Boulevard near Indiantown in western Martin County.

The two existing facilities, named Sweetbay and Martin Next Generation, have operated since 2020 and 2010, respectively.

“Solar energy centers are good neighbors that benefit the local economy and the natural environment. They are virtually silent, remotely monitored and peacefully generate zero-emissions energy,” Ten Eyck said.

Commission Chair Doug Smith thanked FPL representatives Tuesday for investing in Martin County and pushed for the investment to continue.

“Thank you all for investing in our community. We very much appreciate it,” he said. “Can’t wait for the next one. Just a hint.”

Lina Ruiz is TCPalm's watchdog reporter for Martin County. You can reach her at lina.ruiz@tcpalm.com, on Twitter @Lina_Ruiz48 or at 321-501-3845

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: FPL to build fourth solar-energy center in western Martin County