FPL completes 2,000 miles of underground power lines across Florida
Key Points(5)
- Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) says it has converted 2,000 miles of overhead neighborhood power lines to underground lines as part of an effort to strengthen Florida’s electric grid against hurricanes and other severe weather.
- The utility announced the milestone under its Storm Secure Underground Program, saying the projects have benefited more than 200,000 customers across its service area.
- FPL selects neighborhoods for underground power line projects using several factors, including outages during named storms, vegetation-related outages and other measures of reliability.
- The company says underground lines are less vulnerable to damage from high winds, falling trees and flying debris, although they do not eliminate the possibility of outages during severe weather.
- According to FPL, its underground neighborhood lines performed about five times better than overhead lines during Hurricane Ian in 2022.
Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) says it has converted 2,000 miles of overhead neighborhood power lines to underground lines as part of an effort to strengthen Florida’s electric grid against hurricanes and other severe weather.
The utility announced the milestone under its Storm Secure Underground Program, saying the projects have benefited more than 200,000 customers across its service area.
FPL selects neighborhoods for underground power line projects using several factors, including outages during named storms, vegetation-related outages and other measures of reliability.
The company says underground lines are less vulnerable to damage from high winds, falling trees and flying debris, although they do not eliminate the possibility of outages during severe weather.
According to FPL, its underground neighborhood lines performed about five times better than overhead lines during Hurricane Ian in 2022. During the 2024 hurricane season, which included Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton, the company said underground lines performed between five and 14 times better.
The undergrounding program is one part of FPL’s broader efforts to improve the resilience of its electrical infrastructure. Other measures include strengthening overhead poles, trimming trees and vegetation near electrical equipment and monitoring substations for flooding.
FPL said the 2,000 miles of converted power lines are equivalent to roughly four-and-a-half times the length of Florida.
“Reaching 2,000 miles of projects completed under the Storm Secure Underground Program is the result of true partnerships between FPL, our customers and the communities we serve,” said Michael Jarro, FPL vice president of Power Delivery.
Jarro said the company plans to continue expanding the program to additional neighborhoods as it prepares its grid for future storms.
FPL, the largest electric utility in Florida, serves millions of customers across the state.
