In the newest announcement, Orlando Utilities Commission andSouthern Co. of Atlanta plan to jointly build a $250 million, 632megawatts natural gas-fired electric plant in southeast OrangeCounty by yearend 2003. Charlotte-based Duke Energy is awaitingvarious government approvals in neighboring Lake County toconstruct a $180 million, natural gas-fueled plant on the outskirtsof Eustis, FL, 32 miles northwest of Downtown Orlando.

And in Leesburg, FL, 45 miles northwest of Orlando, Panda EnergyInternational proposes to use steam instead of natural gas for its$300 million facility. The Duke and Panda projects, like theOUC-Southern venture, envision plant openings in 2003, if allapprovals are cleared. Construction on the OUC-Southern enterpriseis tentatively set to start by September 2001. Southern would own65 percent of the asset; OUC, 28 percent; the Kissimmee (FL)Utility Authority and a consortium of smaller utilities, 7percent.

The surge in utility construction projects stems from pendingfederal and state regulations that would totally deregulate thepower industry and allow utility companies to compete forcustomers. That competition is under way in several states buthasn't begun yet in Florida.