Polk County Reliability Enhancement Project
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Project Update and Plans
Duke Energy announced plans in April 2018 for a new substation and two new 230-kilovolt (kV) transmission lines in Polk County, Fla. In Dec. 2018, the company communicated the preferred route for each of the two new transmission lines. This project will enhance the ability of Duke Energy and neighboring utilities to provide safe and reliable energy to homes, community facilities and businesses in the area by connecting the company's Osprey Energy Center in the city of Auburndale to existing substations near Kathleen, Fla., and Haines City, Fla.The general location of the routes can be viewed on the interactive map.
In reaching a decision on the preferred routes, our team carefully reviewed and considered community input along with other factors such as safety, reliability, land use, and cultural and natural resources. Based on extensive evaluation, we selected routes that we believe will have the least overall impact to homes, personal property, businesses, the environment and the community.
Kathleen 230-kV Transmission Line
A new 230-kV transmission line will extend from the Osprey Energy Center approximately 26.2 miles west to the existing Kathleen substation in Polk County.
View larger map
Haines City 230-kV Transmission Line
A new 230-kV transmission line will extend from the Osprey Energy Center approximately 21.4 miles east to the existing Haines City East substation in Polk County.
View larger map
Osprey Substation
The new substation will take energy generated at the Osprey Energy Center and deliver it throughout the region and the state through Duke Energy's electric transmission system.Interactive Map
This map allows the public to view the general location of the routes of the new transmission lines. The search and zoom features will provide a more detailed view of a particular area.Schedule – What to Expect*
Early 2019: Land surveying to define the easement areas and determine the easement rights that will be needed to construct, operate and maintain the transmission lines. This activity will continue through easement acquisition process
Aug. 2019: Easement acquisition activities for the project underway. Easement acquisition will continue through 2021.
Late 2019: Soil sampling (soil borings) to determine the soil properties for the design and engineering of transmission line structures. Soil borings and other field investigations will continue in 2020.
2020: Transmission line design process begins. Pole locations will be identified in 2020.
Summer 2021: Vegetation clearing followed by the installation of structures and wires.
2024: The new transmission lines will be completed and placed in service.
*Many of the activities associated with the design, engineering, and construction of the transmission lines may overlap and do not necessarily happen in a sequential manner over the entire distance of the project. These activities will occur in different locations at different times due to the size of the project and need to optimize the use of resources. Factors such as weather, availability of crews and equipment or unforeseen circumstances may impact the schedule.
To learn more about this project:
- Interactive map
- Email us at: PolkReliabilityEnhancements@duke-energy.com
- Call us at: 800.774.2852
The new lines will be built on single concrete or steel poles, about 90 to 110 feet tall.
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