Pensacola power users patronize Gulf Power. The regulated utility, a subsidiary of The Southern Company, transmits and distributes electricity to more than 436,000 customers in eight counties in northwestern Florida. Gulf Power generates about 2,060 MW of capacity from its fossil-fueled power plants, and it operates about 1,600 miles of transmission lines and more than 7,720 miles of distribution lines in its service territory. The utility, which serves more than 70 towns and cities, also provides wholesale electricity to two distributors in Florida, and it offers conservation programs, outdoor lighting, surge protection, and other energy-related products and services.
Gulf Power serves retail customers in northwest Florida (71 communities including Pensacola, Panama City, and Fort Walton Beach, as well as in rural areas) and wholesale customers across the Southeast US.
During 2013, Gulf Power purchased 266 million KWHs from such companies for approximately $10.2 million.
Gulf Power is engaged, within the northwestern portion of Florida, in the generation and purchase of electricity and the transmission, distribution, and sale of such electricity, at retail. It also sells power at wholesale, to a non-affiliated utility.
The company’s revenues grew by 0.6% in 2013 primarily due to a 2% increase in retail sales as a result of higher fuel revenues and energy conservation/cost recovery revenues. The growth in fuel revenues was partially offset by a payment received during 2013 stemming from the resolution of a coal contract dispute.
Gulf Power's net income decreased slightly in 2013 due to higher fuel and purchased power costs and increased income tax paid. During 2013 Gulf Power purchased 266 million KWHs for $10.2 million.
As part of an industry push to reduce carbon emissions, Gulf Power offers a comprehensive energy efficiency program aimed at helping customers save money and energy while reducing greenhouse gases. The conservation initiative, called EarthCents, offers a menu of programs and educational efforts to reduce residential and commercial electricity consumption. The company offers retail customers two renewable energy programs as part of its EarthCents package: Solar Photovoltaics (PV) for electricity and Solar Water Heating. The company has also reduced emission from its power plants by 85%, using scrubber systems at its coal-fired plants.
Furthering the green energy push, in 2010 Gulf Power constructed a 3,200 kilowatts gas-to energy plant which harnesses methane gas at its Perdido Landfill in Escambia County. The plant provides enough energy to power 900 homes.
The company was founded in 1925 through the purchase of the Pensacola Electric Company by Southeastern Power and Light Company.