NextEra Energy holds a position that surprises many people: this Florida utility company is the largest generator of wind and solar energy in the world. The company operates through two main businesses — Florida Power & Light (FPL), one of the biggest regulated utilities in the U.S. serving 5.8 million customers, and NextEra Energy Resources, which develops, owns, and operates clean energy projects across North America.
NextEra Energy Resources manages roughly 33 GW of generating capacity from wind, solar, and battery storage, with projects spread across dozens of states and Canada. The development pipeline adds several gigawatts of new capacity each year. FPL, meanwhile, has invested billions in solar — making Florida one of the leading solar states despite its late start — and in grid hardening to withstand hurricanes.
The financial numbers reflect this scale. Revenue exceeds $28 billion annually, and NextEra’s market capitalization has made it one of the largest energy companies in the world, consistently outperforming traditional oil and gas majors in total shareholder returns over the past decade. The company employs approximately 16,000 people. NextEra also operates a competitive energy retail business and is investing in green hydrogen pilot projects and battery storage. What sets it apart from pure-play renewables companies is the stable cash flow from the regulated utility business, which provides a foundation for aggressive renewable energy investments without the boom-bust volatility that plagues smaller developers.
