Florida Power & Light Company today told the Florida Public Service Commission it plans to issue a supplemental "request for proposals" and ask companies to compete to provide added generating capacity for its customers starting in 2005. The RFP will be issued later this week, and companies will be asked to submit their bids by May 24.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010621/FPLLOGO )

Last year, FPL issued an initial RFP to which 15 companies, plus FPL, submitted proposed power plant projects. After the RFP was issued, FPL engineers developed a proposal utilizing leading-edge technology. After an extensive review of all proposals submitted, the FPL proposal to build new plants at its Manatee County and Martin County existing sites was the most cost-effective. The supplemental RFP will provide detailed cost information on the two FPL proposed projects -- setting a new target for the second round of competition.

"FPL is committed to providing the lowest cost power to our customers," said Paul Evanson, president of FPL. "We have no vested interest in building power plants. This is a classic build or buy decision. If we can get a lower price for our customers by buying power from someone else's power plant, we will do that."

Mr. Evanson said, "FPL complied with the Commission's guidelines in determining the most cost-effective option during the initial RFP process. By issuing this supplemental RFP, we are providing an additional opportunity to identify an even lower cost bid and then take that bid forward for Commission review and approval." It is the responsibility of the Public Service Commission, under the need determination provisions of the Florida Electric Power Plant Siting Act, to review and agree that a proposed generation project is needed and is the most cost-effective for customers.

FPL estimates that the new RFP will be issued Friday with a deadline of May 24 for proposals and mid-July for a decision on what projects will move forward. Any company can participate in this bidding process, and proposals will be considered as long as the participating companies are creditworthy. FPL has asked that the PSC "need determination" proceeding be held in abeyance.

FPL plans to continue its dialogue with local communities in Martin and Manatee counties to keep them appraised of the status and plans for the FPL projects in the event they are selected to go forward. As part of a separate initiative, FPL had announced plans at Manatee to begin this year burning natural gas in addition to oil in its two existing Manatee generating units. Those plans remain unchanged.

Florida Power & Light Company is the principal subsidiary of FPL Group, Inc. , nationally known as a high quality, efficient and customer- driven organization focused on energy-related products and services. With annual revenues of more than $8 billion and a growing presence in more than a dozen states, FPL Group is widely recognized as one of the country's premier power companies. Florida Power & Light Company serves 4 million customer accounts in Florida. FPL Energy, Inc., FPL Group's energy-generating subsidiary, is a leader in producing electricity from clean and renewable fuels. Additional information is available on the Internet at www.fpl.com, www.fplgroup.com and www.fplenergy.com.

MAKE YOUR OPINION COUNT - Click Here
http://tbutton.prnewswire.com/prn/11690X33182278

SOURCE: Florida Power & Light Company