Electricity Bills to Rise in Florida in 2025: Find Out the Cost

Starting in January 2025, customers of Florida Power & Light (FPL), the largest electric service provider in Florida, will experience an increase in their monthly bills. This hike is part of a plan approved on Tuesday by the Florida Public Service Commission to raise $1.2 billion. The funds are intended for the recovery from the damages inflicted by hurricanes Helene, Milton, and Debby in 2024.

The company asserts that the rate increase is essential for rebuilding efforts following the cyclones, which severely impacted the state's electrical infrastructure, leaving thousands without power for several days. Among the storms, Milton was the most destructive, although Debby and Helene also caused significant damage.

From January 2nd and throughout the year, FPL customers will see a $12 increase in their monthly bills. Additionally, the state's approved plan includes replenishing a $150 million storm reserve fund. FPL promises a more robust system capable of withstanding future natural disasters, with an improved and emergency-ready electrical grid.

However, the decision has faced criticism, as it will impact thousands of low-income families who argue that they should not bear the financial burden of climate emergencies, which should instead be shared by the electric companies. Legal representatives from the group Florida Rising argue that their clients cannot control hurricanes and therefore should not be financially responsible for recovery costs, suggesting that FPL should also share the load.

The company has proposed energy-saving measures to its customers, such as setting thermostats to a moderate and consistent temperature, lowering water heater temperatures, and cleaning refrigerator coils. Nonetheless, critics argue these suggestions do not address the root issue, which is the rising cost.

Electricity services in Florida are managed by several private companies and local cooperatives. The primary providers include:

• Florida Power & Light (FPL): Serving over 5 million customers in eastern and southern Florida, it is the state's largest company.
• Duke Energy Florida: Mainly covering central and northern regions, it supplies thousands of homes and businesses.
• Tampa Electric Company (TECO): Operating in the Tampa Bay area, it caters to both urban and suburban clients.
• Gulf Power: A subsidiary of NextEra Energy, like FPL, it serves the northwestern region.
• Municipalities and electric cooperatives: In areas like Jacksonville, services are managed by local entities such as the JEA, while rural communities are served by cooperatives like Seminole Electric Cooperative.