Melissa Seixas, President, Duke Energy Florida

In an interview with Invest:, Melissa Seixas, Florida president at Duke Energy, discussed the company’s significant progress in solar power, its response to Florida’s growing population, key infrastructure and service adaptations, and initiatives in sustainability, affordability, and community engagement. 

How has Duke Energy’s investment in solar power progressed in Florida, and what impact has it had on affordability and sustainability for consumers?

We’re very proud of our record as a leader in solar investments here in Florida. We’ve made significant progress that has benefited our customers through fuel savings and the overall movement toward a green energy transition. By the end of this year, we’ll have about 1,500 megawatts of solar capacity serving nearly 2 million customers across Florida. From 2025 to 2027, we plan to install around 12 additional solar sites.

These investments bring multiple benefits, including savings from production tax credits, the IRA, and fuel costs, all of which we pass along to our customers. This has made a significant difference in both affordability and sustainability, and we remain committed to advancing solar energy in Florida.

How has Duke adapted its infrastructure and services to meet the increased demand from Florida’s growing population, including in rural areas?

The growth in Florida, especially in traditionally rural areas like Polk County and Pasco County, has been phenomenal. On average, Duke Energy Florida is installing about 1,000 new meters per week, which accounts for new developments rather than reconnections or moves into existing homes or businesses.  We recently surpassed the 2 million customer mark.

As an electric utility, we plan ahead — not just one or five years, but 10 years into the future. We leverage investments in technology to better serve our customers, working closely with developers, municipalities, and other stakeholders to predict and accommodate growth. These partnerships allow us to be successful in infrastructure readiness. As new customers come online, we ensure they receive reliable service, maintaining our commitment to excellent customer service and infrastructure development.

What initiatives does Duke Energy have to educate consumers about efficient energy consumption and best practices?

Education and ongoing information sharing are crucial. In 2024, there are so many different ways and channels to reach our customers. We use a diverse set of methods to share information about energy efficiency, offering tips and tools for consumers to manage their energy usage effectively. For example, we provide rebates for adding new insulation to attics or installing new windows. Customers can find these rebates on the Duke Energy Florida website.

Additionally, smaller changes can make a significant difference. For instance, we emphasize that ceiling fans cool people, not rooms, so turning them off when leaving the house saves energy. Our customers appreciate these practical tips, as shown by feedback from surveys and focus groups. They also want to know about our efforts to transition to greener energy and keep costs down. All of these initiatives together help our customers feel empowered and informed.

What are some new or ongoing partnerships over the last year, and how have they contributed to the company’s goals?

Community engagement is critical to powering the lives of our customers in Florida. We collaborate with municipalities, emergency management agencies at both state and local levels, business organizations, and nonprofit groups. This collaboration is essential, especially in reaching customers who need financial support. For example, we work with nonprofits that provide food, transportation, and other essential services.

Our relationships with education partners, school systems, and neighborhood leaders are also vital. A good example is our Neighborhood Energy Saver program, where we use census data to identify income qualified areas. We then go into these communities to install energy efficiency measures, such as providing brushes to energy-efficient lightbulbs and air conditioning filters for a year. Local leaders and grassroots organizations help us gain the community’s trust, ensuring residents understand that these services are free and safe.

Our partnerships extend to other utilities in the state, which are crucial during severe weather events. We have mutual aid agreements allowing us to share resources, such as line and tree trimming personnel, with cooperatives and municipalities. All of us value the same mission: to serve our customers and restore power quickly and safely during disruptions caused by Mother Nature. Working together, from state agencies to neighborhood organizations, is fundamental to our success and service reliability.

What technologies do you have in place to enhance both sustainability and improve reliability?

We are excited to talk about the technology advancements in electric infrastructure, which are becoming game changers across the country. Here in Florida, we’ve invested in self-healing technology. Traditionally, when there’s an outage caused by a tree limb hitting a line or any other interruption, we had to send someone out to physically inspect and fix the issue, a process we call “rolling a truck.”

This technology works like a traffic app, automatically rerouting power when there’s an interruption. It reduces the length of outages and how often trucks need to be dispatched. It was especially effective during Hurricanes Ian and Idalia, preventing about 200 million minutes of customer outages.

More than 70% of Duke Energy Florida customers benefit from self-healing and automated restoration technologies.  Our overall infrastructure investments have increased our reliability by about 27% from 2018 to 2023. These statistics highlight the significant impact of our investment in this technology.

Additionally, we’ve improved our communication technology. Customers want to know what’s happening during outages, including how long they’ll last and the cause. We’ve implemented systems that provide this information via text messages and phone calls, offering estimated restoration times. This empowers customers to make informed decisions such as making alternative plans for the evening.

What is your outlook for Duke Energy and the overall growth in Florida over the next decade?

We constantly plan for the future, looking 10 to 20 years ahead. This year marks 125 years since our company began serving Florida, starting in St. Petersburg with a 50-kilowatt plant. Over the century, remarkable milestones in infrastructure growth and talented employees have shaped our foundation.

Looking ahead, we honor the past but focus on the future. In the last three years, we’ve invested in Vision Florida to test new technologies through pilots. At our Hines Energy Complex in Polk County, we have a floating solar array and a green hydrogen project, the first of its kind in Florida, tied to a solar facility. These projects will yield valuable lessons to share across the industry.

We are also exploring microgrids and other innovative technologies, always considering what will benefit our customers and the industry. Duke Energy Florida’s diverse and knowledgeable employees contribute to our strong culture and commitment to serving customers.

I’m proud of the career opportunities we offer. I started as a part-time student at 19, and this week, several generation team members celebrated over 40 years with the company. This dedication reflects our culture and commitment to providing essential services. Technology is crucial, but our people are equally important, ensuring we are prepared for the future while honoring our past.