1925

Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) was incorporated, uniting a diverse array of enterprises to serve 76,000 electric and gas customers across 58 communities. The newly formed company's mix of assets included small electric plants, ice plants, water facilities, cold storage units, fish companies, telephone services, and even a steam laundry. FPL's unique holdings also encompassed an ice cream factory, a limestone quarry, a sponge fishing boat and 35 mules.

1930 – 1933

FPL demonstrated adaptability during the challenging years of the Great Depression. During the economic downturn, employees adapted by taking on the unexpected role of appliance salespeople. Company offices were transformed into showrooms, displaying a variety of electric appliances, including toasters, irons, percolators and vacuum cleaners. This innovative approach not only helped keep employees working during tough times, but also promoted the use of electricity in homes, setting the stage for future growth.

1941 - 1944

FPL made significant contributions to the war effort. More than a quarter of the company's workforce answered the call to serve their country, leaving behind crucial roles in the energy sector. In a groundbreaking move for the time, women stepped up to fill these positions, taking on jobs previously held exclusively by men.

1950

The company's stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange, opening up new avenues for capital investment and growth. This move signaled FPL's transition from a regional utility to a major player in the national energy landscape, enabling access to resources that would fuel infrastructure improvements and service enhancements for customers, and decades of expansion and innovation to come.

1965

The Cape Canaveral plant came online to supply power to the bustling space complex and to expanding surrounding residential and industrial areas. This strategic facility demonstrated the company's commitment to meeting Florida's growing energy needs while supporting America's space exploration ambitions.

1972

FPL took bold steps into the nuclear age with Florida's first nuclear unit, Turkey Point Unit 3, which came online under FPL's operation. This was followed by the launch of the St. Lucie nuclear power plant, when its first unit entered service in 1976. These milestones marked a commitment to diversifying FPL’s energy sources and advancing more efficient power generation methods, laying the foundation for a future focus on sustainable energy.

1984 - 1989

FPL Group was established. This was the precursor to NextEra Energy Resources, FPL’s sister company that would go on to become the world’s largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and the sun.

The company achieved a groundbreaking milestone by becoming the first U.S. organization to win the prestigious Deming Prize for international quality. This accomplishment set a new benchmark for continuous improvement and operational excellence.

1992

Following Hurricane Andrew, teams took a key role in restoration and recovery efforts, working tirelessly to restore power and rebuild infrastructure. Post-restoration surveys ranked the performance second only to the military, underscoring preparedness and a commitment to serving customers in times of crisis.

2004

After enduring seven hurricanes in 18 months, the Florida Public Service Commission authorized FPL to create its Storm Secure program to harden the grid against future natural disasters. This proactive approach to infrastructure resilience set a new standard in the industry.

2008

Significant strides in renewable energy were made with the opening of the DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center in Arcadia, attended by President Barack Obama. The facility, powered by 90,000 photovoltaic panels and generating energy for more than 3,000 homes, helped Florida become the second-largest producer of solar energy in the U.S. 

2011

The company demolished the aging 1960s-era, oil- and gas-fired Riviera Beach power plant, replacing it with the state-of-the-art Riviera Beach Clean Energy Center. This new combined-cycle natural gas plant can produce 1,250 megawatts of electricity, enough to power approximately 250,000 homes and businesses, symbolizing FPL's commitment to modernizing its power generation facilities.

2013

Completing a massive grid modernization project across the state included the installation of more than 4.5 million smart meters and deployment of smart grid technology. This initiative significantly enhanced the efficiency and reliability of FPL's energy distribution system and gave customers access to more information about how they use electricity.

2016

The Manatee Lagoon — An FPL Eco-Discovery Center opened, demonstrating the company’s commitment to environmental education and conservation. The center provides a unique opportunity for visitors to learn about and observe endangered manatees, which are drawn to the warm water outflows from the adjacent power plant during colder months.

2017

FPL and Audubon Florida launched the Solar Sanctuary program, which promotes pollinators and preserves wildlife habitats for native plants and wildlife at the company’s new solar plant sites.

2018

FPL launched the Storm Secure Underground Program, proactively burying neighborhood power lines in areas prone to storms and reliability challenges. This initiative significantly improved infrastructure resilience and service reliability, marking a major technological advancement in power distribution and remains an ongoing part of FPL's commitment to providing reliable service.

FPL line workers and support staff deployed to Puerto Rico to help restore power to areas affected by Hurricane Maria's landfall. Hundreds of thousands of people were without electric service nearly four months after the storm devastated the island.

2019

FPL launched its EVolution program, an electric vehicle charging program, to serve the growing electrification of Florida's transportation sector. This continuing initiative includes installing charging stations across the state, promoting electric vehicle adoption and partnering with local businesses to expand charging infrastructure.

FPL announced a groundbreaking 30-by-30 plan to install more than 30 million solar panels by 2030. This ambitious initiative aims to significantly boost Florida's renewable energy capacity, positioning the state as a world leader in solar power generation.

2020

The company launched 35 Mules, an innovation hub providing funding and coaching to entrepreneurs. The name, a nod to the FPL's humble beginnings when it owned 35 mules, symbolizes the journey from past to future. This initiative fosters creativity and drives technological advancement in the energy sector, supporting startups that could shape the industry's future.

2021

Installed the first battery components at Manatee Energy Storage Center in Parrish, Florida. This facility is one of the world’s largest solar-powered battery storage facilities with 409-megawatt (MW) capacity, delivering 900 MWh of energy – enough to power approximately 329,000 homes for more than two hours.

2022

FPL is recognized by ReliabilityOne^® with the National Reliability Excellence Award for an unprecedented seventh time in eight years. This accolade acknowledged the company's substantial investments in grid strengthening and smart technologies since 2004-2005, which have dramatically improved service reliability for its 5.8 million customers.

FPLAir One took flight. The fixed-wing drone flies up to 1,000 miles, capturing high-quality images of infrastructure. This innovation enhances monitoring and maintenance of power lines and facilities, marking the first commercial use of such technology.

2023

The Cavendish NextGen Hydrogen Hub began operation in Okeechobee County, Florida, marking a significant step towards energy diversification. This first-of-its-kind pilot project harnesses Florida's abundant solar resources to create clean hydrogen to help fuel a traditional power plant, demonstrating how innovative technology could help create a more sustainable energy future.