JEA and the Stakeholder Engagement Committee will consider several factors throughout the electric IRP process, including the following industry trends:

Renewable Energy

Governments and corporations are striving ambitiously to decarbonize, turning to renewable energy drawn from solar and wind, both on land and offshore. This is forcing power providers around the world to thoughtfully plan and invest in ways to accommodate new green energy on the grid. The ascendancy of new technologies — notably hydrogen, a rising star in tomorrow’s energy mix — and wider use of battery storage are drawing more attention, prodding utilities to integrate them in a diversified, balanced energy portfolio.

Decarbonization

In pursuit of a decarbonized electric grid by 2035, the Biden Administration is encouraging the U.S. economy to lower its carbon intensity, especially when it comes to buildings, transportation and heavy industry. Two emerging technologies — “green hydrogen” and battery energy storage — can help propel that quest for alternatives to fossil fuels.

Electric Vehicles

More and more auto manufacturers are announcing plans to stop production of combustion-engine vehicles within the next two decades. Recognizing the benefits of an electrified fleet, the commercial and industrial (C&I) sector — with its hundreds of thousands of medium- and heavy-duty trucks, delivery vans and buses — is getting on board. CALSTART’s Global Commercial Drive to Zero initiative reports that more than 108 models of commercial freight vehicles — e.g., zero-emission heavy-duty trucks, medium-duty truck and vans, and yard tractors — will be available from 46 manufacturers in the U.S. this year. As these medium- and heavy-duty EVs hit the streets, utility networks will have to handle simultaneous charging, corridor charging hubs and large charging depots, with some truck chargers imposing an instantaneous demand of 5 megawatts (MW), 10 MW or more.

• Introducing the Integrated Resource Planning Process
• 2021-2022 Black & Veatch Electric Report
• Stakeholder Engagement Presentation One, presented 1/13/2022
• Stakeholder Engagement Presentation Two, presented 2/9/2022
• Stakeholder Engagement Presentation Three, presented 3/10/2022
• Mid May 2022 Stakeholders Report
• Stakeholder Engagement Presentation Four, presented 6/9/2022
• Stakeholder Engagement Presentation Five, presented 9/21/2022
• Stakeholder Engagement Presentation Six, presented 11/22/2022
• Stakeholder Engagement Presentation Seven, presented 2/3/2023
• Presentation to JEA Board of Directors, presented 3/28/2023
• Executive Summary
• Final Integrated Resource Plan
• Supporting Data
• Final EIS
• Record of Decision
• Draft Environmental Impact Statement
• Notice of Intent
• IRP Request Capacities

 

Updated May 3, 2023

What is JEA’s electric Integrated Resource Plan?

An Integrated Resource Plan is an industry standard process for evaluating long-term power supply requirements.

For more than a year, JEA leaders have met with a diverse set of community stakeholders to develop a plan to help guide JEA’s electric system investments for the next three decades. JEA’s plan, known as the electric Integrated Resource Plan, is designed to meet the annual peak electric energy demand of JEA customers through a combination of existing supply resources, increased renewable energy and additional conservation measures.

What factors led to JEA setting a goal of 35% clean energy for 2030?

The Integrated Resource Plan identifies and prepares energy options that serve the highest possible public good. In the process, planners establish goals, investigate options to achieve them, select preferred plans, and refine plans as conditions change.

JEA’s goals reflect our mission of providing affordable, reliable and sustainable power for our Northeast Florida customers.

Other utilities have set goals for 2050. Did JEA do the same?

The electric IRP is a process executed every 3-5 years with a 30-year outlook. The 2023 IRP study identified least-cost energy resources to reliably serve all customers with additional energy resources by 2030. The modeling beyond 2030 to 2050 has a high degree of variability and uncertainty for JEA to appropriately set longer-term goals.

Was the community involved during the planning process?

Community representatives have been involved throughout our IRP process. Our Stakeholder Committee represents a diverse subset of our community. JEA leaders updated the board on the IRP process at all board meetings in the past year, and community members provided comments on the topic at most meetings.

It’s a priority for JEA to be open with the community about our energy plans, and we will continue to be transparent. This was the first time JEA’s IRP planning involved community stakeholders. And our May 25 public forum will represent the first time we’ve had a community discussion about JEA’s future energy mix.

Does JEA have plans to decommission the Northside Generating Station (NGS) before 2030?

JEA will be decommissioning one unit at Northside and adding a higher-efficiency plant with advanced technology at a different location.

JEA’s NGS is a critical asset for maintaining electric system reliability, a service it provides while consistently remaining in full compliance with all applicable national and state air quality regulations and standards.

How were the various energy options selected or prioritized for the IRP?

Our planning process considered economics, environmental and reliability options to serve all customers.

One of JEA’s strategic objectives is planning for the future. We are proud to provide foundational services that drive economic development in our growing region. JEA is focused on making sure our infrastructure is resilient and reliable, knowing our customers rely on our services, especially during adverse conditions.

How is JEA creating strategies to accommodate Northeast Florida’s population growth?

The IRP factored in expected growth and increases in electrification. That consideration factored into all our modeling scenarios because one of JEA’s primary roles is to support growth and economic development.

What new technologies will be put in service because of this IRP?

JEA will be decommissioning a unit at NGS and adding a higher efficiency Combined Cycle plant with advanced technology at a different location. This will help us transition from fossil fuels.

How will the IRP impact JEA’s rates, including fuel and electric costs?

We formulated a plan that balanced affordability, reliability and sustainability.

We know that for many of our customers, their utility bill is the second or third highest bill they pay each month, so factoring costs was an important part of our modeling. As a community-owned utility, JEA does everything it can to manage costs the best we can.

Will JEA conduct another IRP?

We won’t wait another 20 years to conduct an IRP. We will revisit the plan every three to five years to plan ahead. As technologies change, we’ll be updating our plan as needed.

What is the solar strategy?

The IRP analyzes a combination of existing and new energy supply resources, energy conservation, and other demand-side resources that serve the highest possible public good. One such resource is solar energy. To meet the demand of its customers and the ever-growing Northeast Florida community, JEA recently approved a solar agreement deal that will provide access to 150 megawatts of solar power produced through a five-year agreement with The Energy Authority. The utility also plans to add future solar farms (up to 1200 MW).

What is the electrification/EV outlook?

JEA is committed to being engaged and leveraging advanced technologies in the industry. We provide incentives for off-peak charging and a comprehensive customer education program.

How are we preparing our system to handle increased electrification from EVs?

JEA’s electric grid is capable of handling the present and future electric vehicle charging requirements of our community. Planning for new electric loads is something that JEA and utility companies in general do very well.

JEA’s grid is very robust at the circuit level in most areas. In our experience, most EV charging occurs at home through a Level 2 charger or 240V outlet. In nearly all cases, the JEA electric service going to the home is of sufficient capacity to handle the additional load of a Level 2 charger. We do have a program that provides incentives for off-peak charging and a comprehensive customer education program.

What are the next steps in the electric IRP process?

To continue in the spirit of transparency, JEA will keep the community informed about the IRP process. On May 25, the final stakeholder meeting will be a community forum with a panel discussion on the final plan recommendations. Questions from the public will be solicited and answered at the forum. 

How do I get more information about the electric IRP process?

If you have a question or would like to provide feedback about JEA’s electric IRP process, please email us at irp@jea.com