Hurricane Ian may force FPL to shut down Manatee power plant. Here’s why.
Florida Power & Light Company might close the Manatee power plant in Parrish ahead of Hurricane Ian because of high winds, FPL President and CEO Eric Silagy said Tuesday afternoon during a statewide press briefing.
FPL is monitoring the situation closely, Silagy said, in response to a question whether FPL proactively shuts down power generation plants for safety reasons in advance of a hurricane.
“There are no plans at this time to shut generation facilities, other than then the one at Manatee. We are monitoring it closely because of high winds. We may actually close that fossil facility,” he said.
If the plant does close before Hurricane Ian comes ashore, it will have zero impact on power customers, said Peter Robbins, director of creative and utility marketing for NextEra Energy, Inc.
“We have enough power generation capabilities on our grid to continue serving all our customers,” Robbins said.
The Parrish power plant has two tall smokestacks that are landmarks in East Manatee north of State Road 62. FPL did not immediately respond to the Bradenton Herald’s emailed request for more information about why the Parrish power plant might have to be closed down during the storm for safety reasons, or what that might mean for its customers.
FPL has prepositioned 16,000 workers across the state at 24 sites, including at the Sarasota Fairgrounds, to restore power once Hurricane Ian moves through the state.
Silagy said that FPL would work around the clock to restore power once workers can safely return to then field.
But he urged customers not to get focused on the “line on the map,” referring to the wobbling, changing course of many storms.
Silagy also urged caution after the storm, noting that every down power line should be viewed as a live wire. Residents with generators should not run them inside the house, in their garage or outside near an open window to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, he said.
To view the press conference, click here.
