General Manager's Letter

Lakeland Electric: We’re Your Essential Link to a Quality Life

For over 100 years Lakeland Electric has played a role in making the lives of area residents a little better.

From providing electricity for Lakeland’s first streetlights, to powering today’s home computers, Lakeland Electric has been there every step of the way.

Much has changed since Lakeland Electric’s beginning in 1904. But one thing has never changed – our commitment to providing our customers with exceptional electric service – everyday.

Today, as Florida’s third-largest public power utility, Lakeland Electric provides electricity to more than 100,000 customers. Power is generated at Lakeland Electric’s two main power plants, the 941-megawatt McIntosh Power Plant and the 176-megawatt Larsen Power Plant. The utility also operates a group of energy-efficient generating units capable of providing up to 50-megawatts of additional electricity when other units are out of service or during periods when demand for electricity is highest.

Being a Public Power Utility Benefits our Customers

Because Lakeland Electric is a public power utility, Lakeland residents benefit in a number of ways:

Competitive Electric Rates:

As a non-profit utility, Lakeland Electric’s rates are set to include only the cost of producing and delivering electricity to our customers. In contrast, rates for private, investor-owned utilities include profits that are paid to stockholders. Today, Lakeland's prices are near the middle of municipal utility electric prices statewide.

Local Control:

Local citizens, not stockholders, control Lakeland Electric.

Revenues Invested Back into the Community:

Unlike for-profit utilities that pay dividends to stockholders, all of Lakeland Electric’s annual revenues are invested right back to the City of Lakeland. These funds help pay for police and fire service and even parks and recreation centers too. And, by offsetting some of the city’s costs, Lakeland Electric helps to keep the city’s property taxes among the lowest in the state.

Meeting Your Needs

As the Lakeland area continues to grow and change, so does Lakeland Electric. In fact, we have planned for the future with system upgrades and expanded services to enhance as well as ease the busy lives of our customers. For example, we are continuing to upgrade our transmission system to reduce power outages and allow us to serve a growing and greater populace. We are providing a variety of convenient payment options, such as online bill payments. In addition, we offer surge protection and outdoor lighting - services designed for your safety and security. We understand that today's customers have lifestyles that require services designed to make everything less complicated and more reliable. Which is why Lakeland Electric is your essential link to a quality life.