Improving Reliability, One Underground Line at a Time.
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At Tampa Electric, we know reliable power is a lifeline, especially during Florida’s storm season. That’s why we're working to place more power lines underground in select neighborhoods across our service area.
Underground lines are less exposed to wind, tree debris and flying objects, making them more resistant to storm damage. That means fewer, shorter outages and lower storm-related repair costs for customers.
Storm Protection Plan (SPP) initiatives are carefully planned based on an area's outage history, system performance and local conditions. We also coordinate with cities, counties and property owners to minimize property disruption with safe, efficient construction.
Currently, about 50% of Tampa Electric's power lines are underground, mostly in areas of new construction, which were paid for by developers. We strive to convert 75 miles of targeted overhead lines underground every year.
While not every neighborhood is suitable for underground power lines, these projects play an important role in strengthening our energy grid and improving long-term service reliability for all customers.
Converting overhead power lines underground includes
- Evaluation: A data-driven process to identify overhead lines most prone to outages.
- Design: A proposed route for new underground lines and an assessment of the current meter base to identify if a meter base adapter is needed.
- Possible Easements: We will secure necessary easements along the proposed underground route, which will allow us to install and maintain equipment on the route.
- Scheduling and Site Preparation: Stakes and flags will be placed to mark the location of proposed underground power lines, equipment placement and existing utilities.
- Construction: When possible, we install underground power lines using directional-boring technology and add transformers or pedestals as needed. View our equipment flyer for details about the equipment that may be installed on your property during this work.
- Meter Base Adapter: This is a device added to your current meter so it can accept underground cables. Our team will work with you to determine the best meter base adapter for your home. Sizes and configurations may vary.
- Conversion: To energize the new underground power lines, a brief power outage will be scheduled, and an adapter will be installed on your electric meter, if necessary.
- Overhead Line and Pole Removal: Once the underground system is active, overhead power lines and poles will be removed where possible.
- Property Restoration: After the work is complete, we’ll restore any affected properties to their original state.
Learn more about our SPP and its benefits in this short video.
Underground Lines FAQ
A. Today, about 50 percent of Tampa Electric's power lines are underground, mostly in areas of new construction and paid for by the developers. The Florida Public Service Commission requires utilities to provide power at the lowest possible cost to customers, which in most cases is overhead power line construction.
A. Tampa Electric partnered with an independent engineering firm to perform an extensive analysis to identify each overhead line's vulnerability to extreme weather events. Then, we determined the cost and customer benefit of converting those lines to underground, which helped to prioritize the projects. The plan calls for about 75 miles of overhead lines to be converted to underground every year. Once a final assessment is made, Tampa Electric will identify areas and neighborhoods that will be undergrounded, and we will begin a comprehensive outreach process to work cooperatively with property owners and neighborhoods on a plan to underground those portions of the circuit. Circuits will be prioritized to ensure work – and customer benefits – occur simultaneously in each area.
A. Tampa Electric will contact you if your neighborhood will receive Storm Protection Plan enhancements. We have more than 6,000 miles of overhead power lines, and our work will focus on the lines that can improve reliability the most after extreme weather.
A. Tampa Electric's Storm Protection Plan places select lateral power lines underground. These smaller lines deliver electricity directly to homes and businesses within neighborhoods.
The larger main distribution lines, also known as feeder lines, carry power from substations into neighborhoods. These will remain overhead for now, but will be strengthened through other upgrades to improve storm resilience.
Here’s how electric delivery works:
- High-voltage transmission lines carry electricity from power plants to substations.
- Feeder lines bring that power from substations into communities.
- Lateral lines carry electricity the rest of the way—right to your home or business.
While undergrounding lateral lines can reduce outages and improve reliability in your neighborhood, you may still see some overhead lines nearby. These are part of the larger distribution system that will be hardened through other storm protection efforts.
A. Yes. Our SPP improves system reliability and shortens the time it takes to restore service to all customers following extreme weather. As a result, all customers will benefit from the SPP and share the costs of the program.
A. Due to many factors, the time required to complete SPP enhancements varies from project to project. Property owners and neighborhood organizations will be advised what to expect as each project is planned and executed.
A. To safely complete SPP work, a brief power outage will be needed to connect your home or business to the new underground system. You’ll be notified in advance with the date and time of the scheduled outage. In most cases, the outage lasts four hours or less.
A. Tampa Electric does not compensate customers for easements required for undergrounding. If we are not able to secure the necessary easements or land rights, we will look for other viable solutions.
A. Yes. New underground facilities, including conduit, handholes and pad-mounted transformers, will be installed. The number and location of this equipment will be determined by electrical load calculations and field conditions.
*This might be a good location for a before and after picture.
A. Our SPP undergrounding projects convert overhead electric power lines to underground, including homes and other existing electrical services, such as street lights.
A. To minimize disruption to landscaping, Tampa Electric uses directional drilling instead of open trenching or digging. We will work with property owners as we determine the acceptable path for underground lines.
A. Respecting and restoring property are top priorities. We work with our customers during and after construction to minimize impact and inconvenience. After we complete our work, Tampa Electric will restore any damaged property.
A. Tampa Electric works to remove as many utility poles that we own as possible by coordinating with our communication partners to relocate their facilities. As many poles as we can remove will be removed.
Some of our telecommunications partners own poles that other utilities, including Tampa Electric, use. These poles may remain after we move our lines underground.
A. The use of electricity in our everyday lives creates electric and magnetic fields (EMF) near everything from power lines to your computer to your microwave. Studies by international and federal health and regulatory bodies have been conducted for decades and no conclusive evidence has linked low frequency EMF exposure to health issues. Tampa Electric's equipment complies with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection standards.
Tampa Electric encourages you to learn more about EMF here: