KUA Marks 122 Years of Electric Service

Today marks the 122nd anniversary of municipally-owned electric service in Kissimmee.

“For 122 years, we’ve been keeping the lights on for our community, and we couldn’t be more proud,” said Brian Horton, KUA President and General Manager. “We will forever embrace our rich history as we carry out our mission, our vision, and core purpose of enriching the quality of life for our customers and the community.”

During a Kissimmee City Council meeting on June 28, 1901, a resolution was passed authorizing the city’s purchase of Kissimmee Electric Light Company from W.C. Maynard for $4,293.59. Maynard, a Kissimmee resident, had owned and operated the private power company in Kissimmee under contract with the city since December 4, 1900.

Upon the purchase, the council appointed a committee to manage the electric system.

KUA is Florida’s sixth largest community-owned utility and the fifth oldest municipal utility in the state, following Starke (1890), Jacksonville (1895), Ocala (1897) and Williston (1900). In addition, Kissimmee residents began enjoying the benefits of electricity 22 years before their neighbors to the north in Orlando (1923).

The utility’s first purchase was a 15-kilowatt generator in 1901 — enough to power just 150 100-watt lightbulbs or 13 coffeemakers. That was followed by adding three diesel generators in the 1920s to serve the approximately 200 electric customers in Kissimmee at that time.