The University of Florida has announced that the University of Florida Central energy plant public-private partnership (PPP) project will not get a contract it was seeking to build a plant to supply most of the university with power.

Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) and Duke Energy were not shortlisted for proposals to build the Central Energy Plant (CEP) located on Gale Lemerand Drive. The university planned to save more than US$16 million a year in electricity costs with the new plant, but the natural gas-fired power plant would be a step backward in clean energy policy. The University of Florida did not divulge details of why GRU was not on the shortlist. GRU said they will continue to work with the university to help it achieve 100% renewable energy and a carbon-neutral campus.

Campus receives steam from Duke Energy's cogeneration plant, it has been in operation for 25 years and will be decommissioned by the end of 2027.