Our History

From our humble beginnings in 1925, to the energy leader we are today. Explore NextEra Energy's history and see how we've been powering America. View key moments from our history below or select a category to filter by topic.

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1925

Florida Power & Light Company was created on Dec. 28, 1925. In the beginning, FPL owned power plants, water facilities, gas plants, ice companies, laundry services and even an ice cream business. In its first year, the company served approximately 76,000 customers in 58 communities and had a generating capacity of 70 MW.

1941-1945

At the beginning of World War II, 83 employees entered the armed forces. By its end, that number increased to 569 – one quarter of the company's workforce. As a result, the company began hiring women to fill positions left vacant by labor shortages, including meter work, truck driving, auxiliary plant operation and mechanical work.

1944

The company's efforts on the home front during World War II did not go unnoticed. On Feb. 1, 1944, Admiral W.R. Munroe, commandant of the Seventh Naval District of the United States Navy, presented FPL with the Citation for Meritorious Wartime Service.

1950

FPL's stock was listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Overnight, the company acquired about 14,000 stockholders.

1966

The company's customer count grew to one million.

1969

NASA's Apollo 11 mission, where the first astronauts walked on the moon, was launched from Kennedy Space Center. FPL supported the effort by building the Cape Canaveral Plant and strengthening the poles and wires in the area.

1972

The first nuclear power reactor at Turkey Point started generating electric energy. This was the first nuclear reactor in Florida.

1974-1977

FPL finished construction of its first 500-KW power line. FPL became one of the few companies in the nation able to produce more than 10 million KW of electricity.

1985

For the first time in its history, FPL went a full day without burning oil. Instead, it relied on coal-fired power from Georgia, its four nuclear units and natural gas to meet customer demand.

1989

FPL became the first non-Japanese company to win the Deming Award, a prestigious award recognizing Quality. The award was the culmination of years and millions of dollars in investment toward the company's Quality Improvement Program.

1992

FPL reported that its power plant emissions were "the lowest of any investor-owned utility in the state and are 70 percent lower than the national average for all utilities."

1997

FPL Energy was established. It would later be renamed NextEra Energy Resources.

1998

The company's first wind site, Vansycle Ridge Wind Farm, came online near Helix, Oregon.

2009

FPL Energy's name was changed to NextEra Energy Resources to highlight the company's growing role in the energy sector outside of Florida and continued commitment to exploring alternative energies.

2009

The company became the largest producer of wind and solar power in the nation.

2009

The company partnered with six Florida schools to develop Next Generation Solar Education Stations, which allow the school to produce emissions-free electricity while educating students on renewable energy and solar power. In the coming years, the company would develop additional Solar Education Stations at schools across the country.

2010

FPL Group changed its name to NextEra Energy, reflecting the company's commitment to the environment and its expansion outside of Florida. The company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange as NEE.

2011

The Martin Next Generation Solar Energy Center was brought online. It was the first hybrid solar facility in the world to combine a solar-thermal field with a combined-cycle natural gas power plant.

2012

The company celebrated the commissioning of its 10,000th MW of wind energy.

2013

NextEra Energy completed the largest multi-state nuclear uprate project in U.S. history. The multi-billion dollar expansion at St. Lucie, Turkey Point and Point Beach involved six separate nuclear units.

2014

The company launched NextEra Energy Partners, a growth-oriented limited partnership to acquire, manage and own contracted clean energy projects with stable, long-term cash flows. At the time, it was the most successful IPO of its kind.

2017

The company is in the process of executing one of the largest solar expansions ever in the eastern U.S. with eight new solar energy centers that will begin providing clean, emissions-free energy to customers by early 2018.