Guiding Principles
Utility Committee
Media Relations
Key Statistics

Guiding Principles

Lakeland Electric is proud to be a municipally owned utility that serves the City of Lakeland, Polk City and portions of Polk County. Our structure ensures that all customers, inside and outside city limits, have a voice in how their electric utility is run. 

Fair Representation Through the Utility Committee

The Utility Committee is a public advisory group that helps guide the operations and direction of Lakeland Electric. Members review financial and operational reports, fuel costs, rate structures, and other key issues. Their recommendations inform both Lakeland Electric's leadership team and the Lakeland City Commission.
 
The committee reflects the diversity of our customer base, with members who live both inside and outside the Lakeland city limits. This balance ensures that all perspectives are considered and that decision-making reflects the needs of the entire service area. 

All Utility Committee meetings are open to the public. This commitment to transparency allows customers to stay informed and engaged in how their utility operates. 

Why Public Power Matters

As a municipal utility, Lakeland Electric is governed by a structure that prioritizes local control, accountability, and community benefit. This model sets us apart from investor-owned utilities in important ways.

Accountable to Our Community

Our decisions are made by elected officials and community-appointed board members, not corporate shareholders. This means our leadership is directly accountable to the people we serve, not to Wall Street. 

Reinvesting in Lakeland

Any surplus revenue stays in the community. We reinvest in infrastructure, keep rates affordable, and support programs that improve quality of life, such as energy efficiency, renewable energy, and local economic development. 

Responsible and Flexible

With local control comes the ability to move quickly and make decisions based on local needs. Whether responding to a hurricane or updating policies to reflect new technologies, we can act with agility and purpose.  

A Shared Commitment

Lakeland Electric remains committed to providing affordable, dependable, and sustainable service for all by including diverse voices on our Utility Committee and staying focused on community ­driven priorities. We believe public power works best when it's guided by the people it serves. 

Utility Committee


Advisory to the Mayor & City Commission and responsible for the review of Lakeland Electric financial and operational reports, fuel cost recovery, rate structures, contracts, programs and departmental initiatives.
 

Utility Committee Meeting Schedule

The Lakeland Electric Utility Committee meets Friday at 11 a.m., after the first Agenda Study of the month, in the City Commission Conference Room (228 S Massachusetts Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33801), unless there is a holiday.
Agenda Studies take place on the Friday preceding each City Commission Meeting.
City Commission Meetings take place on the first and third Mondays of each month unless there is a holiday

Watch the Utility Committee Meetings

You can watch City Commission meetings live online and/or on Spectrum Channel 643 / FiOS Channel 43 throughout Polk County. You may view/Download all LakelandGov TV programming on the LakelandGov Vimeo.

City Commission Meetings are held on the first and third Monday of each month at 9 a.m. in the City Commission Chambers unless the date falls on a recognized holiday.

Join the Utility Committee

If you are interested in being an appointed member of the Lakeland Electric Utility Committee, please visit the City of Lakeland’s website and fill out an application: https://www.lakelandgov.net/departments/city-clerk/municipal-boards-committees/

Current Utility Committee Members 

The Lakeland Electric Utility Committee meets Friday at 11 a.m., after the first Agenda Study of the month, in the City Commission Conference Room (228 S Massachusetts Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33801), unless there is a holiday.
Agenda Studies take place on the Friday preceding each City Commission Meeting.
City Commission Meetings take place on the first and third Mondays of each month unless there is a holiday. 

Media Relations


For journalist inquiries only:
Cathryn Lacy, Marketing Manager
501 E. Lemon Street
Lakeland, FL 33805
LEMarketing@LakelandElectric.com

Lakeland Electric has a library of images, videos and B-roll clips that may help you produce your story. Tell us what you need, and we will do our best to help. Contact us for more information.

Customer Support Contacts

Please note: Media contacts cannot assist with customer accounts or outage issues. 

To report a power or streetlight outage, please refer to our Outages & Storms page.

All other customer inquiries should be directed to: Lakeland Electric Customer Service at (863) 834-9535

We're happy to assist members of the media with information, interviews, visuals and background about Lakeland Electric.



Media Contact Information


Lakeland Electric is the third-largest public power utility in the State of Florida, serving 144,000 customers. It is one of the first utilities established in Florida, having begun operations in 1889 before being purchased by the City of Lakeland in 1904. Today, Lakeland Electric's 246-square-mile territory serves the City of Lakeland, Polk City, and its environs with affordable, dependable, and sustainable electric power. 

 
Our Service Area

We serve a growing and diverse customer base across:

  • Lakeland
  • Polk City
  • Portions of unincorporated Polk County
  • Portions of Auburndale



View a detailed map of Lakeland Electric’s service areas. 
 

 
Solar

Did you know Lakeland Electric has 5 Solar Farms right here in Lakeland? 
This means when the sun is shining on a summer day, Lakeland Electric has the capability to generate about 15 megawatts of power.

Since 1994, Lakeland Electric has been interested in utilizing alternative energy sources. Solar Panels are ideal for Florida's sunny days and can minimize customers' dependency on the main electric grid. Moving forward, Lakeland Electric plans to increase solar programs with additional solar farms and customers' personal solar panels

 
Need More Information?

Looking for more information? Visit our Publications Page.

 
By The Numbers

As of December 31, 2024:

Population in service area: 350,000
 
Total accounts served: 144,000
 
Size of service area: 246 square miles
 
Employees: 412
 
Miles of power lines: 10,912

Lakeland Electric operates multiple generation facilities to meet the region's electricity needs. These plants and their generating capabilities are listed below:

C.D. McIntosh, Jr.

Unit 5     370 megawatts
D1              3 megawatts
D2              3 megawatts
GT1          18 megawatts
GT2        130 megawatts

Charles Larsen Memorial

GT2*         11 megawatts
GT3*         11 megawatts
Unit 8      120 megawatts

*Long-term scheduled maintenance

Winston Peaking Station 

Units 1-20  50 megawatts