Location

Located on Port Sutton Road near Tampa Bay, the H.L. Culbreath Bayside Power Station generates over 2,100 megawatts of natural gas-fueled electricity.

Description

Bayside Unit One went into commercial service in May 2003 and Bayside Unit Two went into commercial service in January 2004.

Environment

By using natural gas at the new Bayside Power Station along with high efficiency, state-of-the-art controls at its coal-fired plants, Tampa Electric will be able to significantly reduce emissions and meet growing energy needs well into the future. Repowering with natural gas has reduced Bayside Power Station's nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide emissions by approximately 99 percent to date, plus particulate matter emissions have decreased by more than 93 percent from 1998 levels.

Enhanced power reliability

The installation in 2009 of four 60-megawatt natural gas-fired peaking units at Bayside supports Tampa Electric's commitment to reliable power for its customers. In addition to being able to provide power during periods of peak customer demand, the peaking units also can play a vital role if catastrophic weather causes the electric grid to lose power. With "black start" capability, power from the peaking units can start Bayside's larger generating units during a blackout when power from the grid is not available. The units' "quick start" capability enables the company to bring them from off-line to full load status in 10 minutes, which provides a more economical way for the company to maintain operating reserves required to respond to system disruptions.