Florida braces for Hurricane Helene, energy infrastructure in storm’s path at risk

As Hurricane Helene strengthens, it is forecasted to strike Florida’s Big Bend coast Thursday night, posing a risk to people and energy infrastructure in the storm’s projected path.

President Biden has approved an emergency declaration in Florida, fast-tracking federal funds to respond to the hurricane that could intensify into a Category 4 storm. Neighboring Georgia and North Carolina governors have declared a state of emergency.

Power utilities such as NextEra Energy’s (NYSE:NEE) FPL, Tampa Electric, Alabama Power, Georgia Power, Dominion Energy (NYSE:D) and Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) have been preparing for impact and the possible damage the storm will likely cause to infrastructure, according to S&P Global.

Southern Co.’s (NYSE:SO) 1.8-GW Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant in southeast Alabama is in the storm’s current projected path. Its 1.8-GW Edwin I Hatch Nuclear Plant and Duke Energy’s (DUK) nuclear station in South Carolina are located just outside the project path.

As for gas infrastructure, Gulf of Mexico producers have decreased an estimated 17% of offshore natural gas production, or about 313 MMcf/d in preparation for the storm.