Florida Construction News staff writer

Duke Energy has officially broken ground on its new Wildwood Training Center in Sumter County, to bolster training for transmission craft and technical workers who are crucial to maintaining and upgrading Florida’s power grid.

The groundbreaking ceremony, attended by company leaders and local officials, underscored Duke Energy’s commitment to advancing the region’s economic vitality and supporting its growing infrastructure needs. The new Wildwood Training Center will feature indoor classrooms, equipment training spaces, and an outdoor area complete with a training substation.

This facility aims to expand the company’s ability to train technicians—such as transmission and distribution line workers, substation technicians, and relay specialists—who are essential for the continuous improvement of Duke Energy’s infrastructure. These upgrades are vital for enhancing grid reliability, integrating renewable energy sources, and ensuring resilience against storms and other challenges.

“The power grid is a complex system that operates around the clock to deliver reliable energy across Florida,” said Jason Williams, senior vice president of power grid operations at Duke Energy Florida. “Our grid workers are essential, especially in storm recovery. This new center will help us build a smarter, more resilient energy future while supporting Florida’s rapid growth.”

The Wildwood Training Center is expected to be completed by 2025. Mayor Ed Wolf of Wildwood expressed enthusiasm about the project, noting, “We are excited to host Duke Energy’s new training facility and are proud to support such an important initiative. This partnership will help us address the needs of our expanding community and enhance our local economy.”

This development reflects Duke Energy’s ongoing efforts to invest in the infrastructure and workforce necessary to support Florida’s evolving energy landscape.