Duke Energy looks ahead to innovation in 2026

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As we head into 2026, we’re reflecting on a year of milestones that help lower customer bills.

Every investment we’ve made in 2025 shared a common purpose: to deliver reliable energy and reduce rates for the customers and communities we serve.

This year, we expanded our clean energy development with three new solar sites in Hernando, Sumter and Madison counties, saving customers an estimated $750 million from displaced fuel costs. By the end of 2027, we’ll bring eight additional solar sites online to further protect customers from fuel prices fluctuations that drive up bills.

We also made major upgrades across our power plants, achieving the output of a new power plant without building one. As a result of the fuel savings from the plant enhancements, customers will save $10 a month on their bills. In DeBary, we successfully tested the nation’s first system capable of producing, storing and using 100% green hydrogen, an innovative step towards reliable, carbon-free energy.

Our teams also strengthened the grid with storm-hardened lines and self-healing technology, preventing more than 215,000 hours of outages in 2025.

By March 2026, Duke Energy Florida residential customers using 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity will see their monthly bills decrease on average by $44, or 22%, compared to January.

As we head into 2026, our priorities remain the same. We’ll continue investing in innovation to strengthen our communities and lower bills. Every project and improvement we complete is focused on building a stronger energy future for our Florida customers.

Melissa Seixas is State President, Duke Energy Florida.