FPL to add underground wiring in Collier County to protect power grid during storms

GOLDEN GATE, Fla. (WINK)—More than 1,400 Florida Power & Light (FPL) customers in Golden Gate will have their power lines buried underground over the next year.

FPL started what they're calling the "Storm Secure Underground Program", where they will lay 40 miles of underground wiring in this project. 

So far in Collier County, thousands of customers have had their wires moved, with 32 total miles of wire placed underground. 

According to FPL, underground lines performed 15 times better than overhead lines during the 2024 hurricane season. 

Day to day, the company says underground lines perform about 50% better.

When power lines are moved underground, the wires are completely encased. This means residents may see fewer large utility poles in the future. FPL spokesperson, Kamrel Eppinger, says FPL looks at vulnerable areas to decide where under grounding."

Since the wires are being moved underground, WINK News contacted FPL to ask if they are protecting them from flooding. In response, FPL will run a hollow casing underground to protect the wiring from environmental factors such as flooding. 

FPL uses data on hurricane outages and past vegetation-related outages to select locations for underground wiring. Trees and vegetation are among the leading causes of power outages,

"It's important to note that when it comes to outages, trees and vegetation are one of the leading causes of outages for our customers," said Kamrel Eppinger, FPL spokesperson. "So if you take away overhead infrastructure and you're replacing those lines underground, that eliminates the threat for outages caused by trees and vegetation."

This project in the Golden Gate area is expected to be completed at the end of 2026.