With shovels in the ground Wednesday morning, Kissimmee Utility Authority marked the start of construction on a new $20 million electrical substation that officials say will help power the next phase of growth in northwest Kissimmee.
Once in service about a year from now in the summer of 2027, the Van Meter Substation on Helios Circle is expected to add significant capacity to KUA’s electric system as new homes, businesses and development continue moving into the area. Utility officials said the project is scheduled to be completed in summer 2027.
KUA says the project is not just about adding equipment. It is about preparing the local power grid for the demands of a growing community.
“The Van Meter substation is a significant investment in Kissimmee’s future; a project that will strengthen our electric system and support the continued growth of our community for decades to come,” KUA President and General Manager Brian Horton said.
Once finished, the substation is expected to deliver up to 80 megawatts of transformer capacity to customers across a nine-square-mile area. KUA said the facility is also being built with the ability to expand to as much as 120 megawatts, giving the utility room to respond as energy needs increase in the years ahead.
The event served as both a construction milestone and a public acknowledgment of the infrastructure work needed to keep pace with Osceola County’s continued growth.
The substation carries the name of Jeanne Van Meter, a former Kissimmee city commission and KUA board member who served the utility for 13 years. Utility leaders said naming the facility for Van Meter recognizes her longtime service and her role in supporting the communityowned utility.
“When the Board chose to name this facility the Van Meter Substation, it was done as a lasting tribute to Jeanne’s years of service and the positive impact she made on this organization and our community,” KUA Board Chairman Manuel Ortega said.
KUA, founded in 1901, is Florida’s sixth-largest community-owned electric utility and serves about 100,000 customers in Osceola County. The utility has said the Van Meter project is part of its ongoing effort to maintain reliable service while investing ahead of future demand.
As Kissimmee and the surrounding area continue to grow, utility officials said projects like the Van Meter Substation will play an important role in making sure the electric system is ready for what comes next.
