FPL Energy to Develop Citrus Peel to Ethanol Plant

20 July 2007

FPL Energy, LLC, a subsidiary of FPL Group, has signed a letter of intent with Citrus Energy, LLC, of Boca Raton, FL, to develop the first commercial-scale citrus peel to ethanol plant. (Earlier post.)

FPL Energy will own and operate the cellulosic ethanol plant, which will have an expected capacity of four million gallons of ethanol per year. The plant will be located on the grounds of a local Florida citrus processor.

FPL Energy said that ethanol from citrus peel could result in a new Florida industry producing more than 60 million gallons of fuel per year, which could replace about one percent of Florida’s annual gasoline consumption.

FPL Energy is an energy supplier utilizing natural gas, wind, solar, hydroelectric and nuclear power to generate electricity. FPL Group is one of the US’ largest providers of electricity-related services with annual revenues of nearly $16 billion. FPL Group’s principal subsidiary is Florida Power & Light Company, which serves 4.4 million customer accounts in Florida.