OUC BOARD APPROVES ENERGY ROADMAP

The OUC Board of Commissioners approved the long-awaited Electric Integrated Resource Plan (EIRP), a 30-year energy roadmap, at its Dec. 10 meeting. The planning process took into consideration public feedback gathered over nearly two years, which included community meetings, online surveys, a public workshop and a 12-member Advisory Council representing OUC’s nearly 240,000 customers. The final plan sets the path for OUC to meet the critical Net Zero CO2 Emissions by 2050 goal, as well as interim targets of 50% CO2 emissions reduction by 2030 and 75% by 2040. Read the full report by clicking here.

OUC ENERGY ROADMAP PUBLIC WORKSHOP

The general public is invited to attend a workshop to learn about the OUC Management Clean Energy Roadmap Recommendation, a critical step in finalizing the Electric Integrated Resource Plan (EIRP). Following a presentation of the recommendations, attendees will have the opportunity to provide comments to the Board for consideration prior to its adoption of the plan.

2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 17, 2020

The meeting will take place virtually via WebEx and in person in the Seventh Floor Commission Chambers at Reliable Plaza located at 100 West Anderson Street, Orlando, FL. The public may attend and view the meeting in person in the First Floor Community Room (#147) and the OUCafe, as well as virtually via WebEx at the link below.

Public attendance is limited with seating available on a first-come basis. Once full capacity has been reached, additional in-person attendees will be asked to register upon arrival and wait in an overflow area or their vehicles if they wish to speak. Instructions for providing public comment will be given during the appropriate public comment speaking period. COVID-19 protocols will be adhered to, including 6’ social distancing, wearing a face mask, submitting to a temperature check, and answering COVID-19 related questions.

To attend in person an RSVP is required. Please email RSVP@ouc.com with your name, address, and number of guests.

In addition, you may submit written comments to publiccomments@ouc.com prior to 12:00 Noon on November 17. A copy of all written comments received by the noon deadline will be provided to the Commissioners and included in the meeting records.

WebEx attendance is strongly encouraged at the following link:

https://ouc-meeting-place.webex.com/ouc-meeting-place/onstage/g.php?MTID=ee1ffb5774f3bcc45f84afd5e36fc632b

Password: eirpworkshop

Call-in number: 1-408-418-9388

Access code: 173 009 9227

OUC Announces Plan to End Coal-Fired Generation

Download Spanish language translation

Public Workshop will be held November 17

ORLANDO, FL – Management at Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC – The Reliable One) released its recommendation to significantly reduce the use of coal no later than 2025, eliminating it no later than 2027. The result of the utility’s Electric Integrated Resource Plan (EIRP) process supports its strategic plan for Net Zero CO2 Emissions by 2050 goal, as well as interim targets of 50% CO2 emissions reduction by 2030 and 75% by 2040 . Using solar as the main source of new energy, OUC will also invest in energy storage and other clean technologies to ensure reliability and resiliency are maintained.

After gathering input from multiple community forums and a four-month-long online survey period, the Advisory Council – a 12-member, independent group representing Orange County, the City of Orlando and the City of St. Cloud – was responsible for ranking four key attributes – Affordability, Reliability, Resiliency and Sustainability – and determining how they should be weighted when scoring potential energy portfolios.

The recommendation strikes a balance, allowing achievement of OUC’s goal of Net Zero CO2 Emissions by 2050, while directionally aligning with City of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer’s 2017 aspirational proclamation to achieve 100% renewable energy generation by 2050. Specifically, OUC will:

  • End coal-fired generation. The plan calls for significantly reducing coal-fired generation no later than 2025 and eliminating it no later than 2027, using coal-to-natural gas conversion as a technology bridge. Both converted units will ultimately be retired no later than 2040.
  • Accelerate solar and energy storage as primary strategies. To allow for the acceleration of these resources and overcome the challenges of cloud cover and partly sunny days, energy storage technologies will be used to maintain reliability. OUC will continue to monitor cost and performance developments for new and existing clean technologies, such as hydrogen and small modular reactors.
  • Leverage future clean technologies to ensure diversity for reliability. The recommendation provides a roadmap to diversify the utility’s generation by incorporating technologies, such as wind-by-wire generation, to greatly reduce dependency on solar and storage.
  • Strive to maintain competitive rates for customers while achieving strategic goals. Advancements of this magnitude require significant investments. However, the recommendation delivers the best value.

“For nearly a century, OUC has provided reliable, affordable essential electric and water services to our customers,” said Clint Bullock, General Manager & CEO. “As we evolve to deliver clean energy and value to our customers, we’ve made significant investments in innovative, sustainable solutions. This EIRP energy roadmap – which is the result of a comprehensive, sophisticated analysis – will allow us to meet the critical Net Zero CO2 Emissions by 2050 goal, as well as interim targets of 50% CO2 emissions reduction by 2030 and 75% by 2040 as we move toward a cleaner, greener future.”

OUC remains committed to public feedback throughout the EIRP process. The public is invited to attend a workshop on November 17, 2020 at 2 p.m., to further discuss this process and its results.

The results of the EIRP will be approved by the Board at a later date. In the future, EIRPs will be considered every five years moving forward as technology and economic conditions change.

Siemens PTI supported the development of the EIRP and evaluated the list of energy portfolio options for the utility to consider. Essence Partners led the strategy for stakeholder engagement and facilitated that process.

Welcome to OUC's Roadmap!
Watch the video below to learn more about OUC’s Electric Integrated Resource Plan.

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Advisory Council Members

OUC EIRP Advisory Council members represent stakeholder groups throughout OUC’s service territory. To provide feedback to an Advisory Council member about the EIRP process, please email ouceirp@essensepartners.com.

  • Advisory Council Member
  • Chris Castro
  • Craig Cooke
  • John Davis
  • Carol Hendren
  • Tammi Madison
  • Veronica Miller
  • Jonathan Plazewski
  • Charles Ramdatt
  • James Schirtzinger
  • Marshall Sherman
  • Gordon Spears
  • Chip Tatum
  • Location
  • Orlando
  • Orlando
  • Orlando
  • Orlando
  • St. Cloud
  • St. Cloud
  • Orlando
  • Orlando
  • Orlando
  • Orlando
  • Orlando
  • Orlando

The OUC Roadmap

Since 1923, the Orlando Utilities Commission has provided residents and businesses with reliable electricity. Today, we’re the 14th largest municipal utility in the nation, serving more than 400,000 accounts in Orlando, St. Cloud and unincorporated areas of Orange and Osceola Counties. To do this, we operate the most diverse power generation site in Florida and continue to improve our portfolio of clean energy resources.

As we look ahead to a cleaner, greener future, we are developing an Electric Integrated Resource Plan – our roadmap to meeting electric energy generation and transmission needs for the next 30 years. The roadmap will define OUC’s electric future in a way that balances reliability, affordability, sustainability and resiliency. We are currently taking your feedback into consideration and will update this site with more information as we develop our plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is an Electric Integrated Resource Plan?

    An Electric Integrated Resource Plan (EIRP) is a roadmap that utilities use to meet forecasted electric energy demand in a way that ensures reliable and affordable service to customers. The plan takes into account a utility’s generation and transmission resources, potential future events that could impact energy supply and demand (from government regulations to hurricanes), and the unique needs of its customers.

  • Why is OUC creating an EIRP?

    As we look toward Central Florida’s future and meeting the City of Orlando’s goal of being powered by 100% renewable energy by 2050, OUC is working to determine the best ways to provide quality electric service while effectively balancing reliability, affordability, sustainability and resiliency. The EIRP allows OUC to gain input from the public regarding their wants and needs to make decisions that will affect the area for many years to come.

  • How does the EIRP affect me?

    The results of the EIRP will determine how you and your family receive electricity many years down the road.

  • Why am I being asked to provide input?

    Your input will be used by OUC when making future generation decisions. The feedback will help OUC create the ideal balance between reliability, affordability, sustainability and resiliency.

  • How does my input impact the EIRP?

    The EIRP takes into consideration reliability, resiliency, sustainability and affordability. While determining the best way to balance all four of these categories for the future, it is possible that not all will be weighted the same. Your input helps OUC determine these weights based on public feedback.

  • What happens next?

    Once we have collected your feedback, OUC will take public input into consideration when determining future generation assets. Your input will quantitatively factor into the process. Updates will be provided on this site as throughout the process.

  • Glossary of Energy Terms
    Energy Supply:

    The amount of electricity available to be produced to meet the energy demand of an area at any given moment.

    Energy Demand:

    The amount of electricity required by an area at any given moment.

    Generation:

    The means by which electricity is created. Electricity is created by a variety of different types of plants and fuels, including solar, wind, natural gas, hydroelectric, nuclear and coal, to name a few.

    Transmission:

    This is the means by which created electricity makes it from a generation facility to homes and businesses.

Advisory Council + Community Forums
Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are the community forums?

    The community forums give anyone interested in the EIRP process a chance to learn why OUC is undertaking this project and how it will affect the community, as well an opportunity to get updates on where OUC is in the process.

  • Who can attend the community forums?

    Anyone interested in learning more about the EIRP process is welcome to attend the community forums on or more of the dates above.

  • Why are we holding community forums?

    In addition to the feedback form we previously hosted on this website, we want to ensure we reach as many OUC stakeholders as possible. We are inviting members of our community to join us to learn about how we’re working to develop a plan to generate and transmit electricity for the next 30 years.

  • What is the EIRP Advisory Council?

    The EIRP Advisory Council is a group of 12 members of the community chosen to gather and provide feedback on the EIRP process. The Council consists of a diverse group of members representing OUC customers and stakeholders.

  • Why do we need an Advisory Council?

    The EIRP Advisory Council will give us a further understanding of the energy-related needs and questions that our customers and stakeholders share. The Council helps ensure that as many communities as possible are represented in the EIRP process.

  • How was the Advisory Council selected?

    The EIRP Advisory Council was selected from a list of candidates provided by City and County Commissioners in order to best represent OUC’s service territory and community stakeholders.

  • Can I join the EIRP Advisory Council?

    The EIRP Advisory Council selection process is now closed. Potential members were nominated by elected City and County Commissioners.