SECO News January 2026
Momentum Realized
Dear Members,
2025 was a year of meaningful transformation for SECO Energy. Vision met execution, and plans became powerful results. Through strategic leadership, the guidance of our Board of Trustees, strong collaboration across departments, and a commitment to operational excellence, we delivered better-than-expected returns on strategic investments. We also implemented improvements that generated measurable cost savings and streamlined operations, positioning SECO Energy for continued success.
In 2025, we proudly welcomed our 500th team member, a milestone that reflects our growth and the strength of a collaborative workforce. This expanded team not only enhances our ability to serve members but also brings fresh ideas, skills, and energy to tackle new challenges and opportunities, positioning SECO for continued growth and innovation.
Our strategic initiatives delivered tangible member value. The Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project – now substantially completed – has already generated more than $9.2 million in cumulative savings while providing insights that will guide future energy-efficiency programs and rate structures. Through Conservation Voltage Reduction (CVR), we optimized voltage management while continually advancing a more sustainable energy future. Our Distributed Energy Resource Management System (DERMS) – Smart Connect program also expanded member participation and engagement, allowing SECO to reduce electrical demand.
We are excited about the progress on our future Sumterville, Groveland, and Ocala facilities. Thoughtfully planned to support our employees and enhance operations, these projects moved forward in 2025. Updates will continue as we progress through each phase of construction, and we look forward to sharing milestones with our members along the way.
SECO secured $180 million in DOE and USDA grant and loan awards to strengthen system resilience and operational efficiency. These funds support key projects such as installing three microgrids at our new facilities, converting select overhead lines to underground, and building a new substation. We continue to pursue additional grant opportunities to advance long-term system improvements and keep our grid strong for our members.
Together, these accomplishments reflect our commitment to operational excellence, financial stewardship, and delivering meaningful value to our members. 2025 was a year of progress realized by executing well-defined initiatives that support a clear mission & vision, and a comprehensive strategy.
With the talent, dedication, and teamwork of the entire SECO Energy organization, we are poised to carry this momentum into 2026. We will continue to enhance innovation, elevate efficiency, and strengthen reliability to better serve all members.
Thank you for your trust and support as we power our communities together.
Sincerely,
CURTIS WYNN
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
SECO Energy is proud to continue supporting education in the communities we serve through our 2026 Youth Scholarship Program. The SECO Energy Board of Trustees has approved $48,000 in scholarships for 12 exceptional high school seniors who reside in SECO’s service territory. Each scholarship winner will be awarded $4,000 to help fund their educational journey.
SECO recognizes that investing in education is essential for developing a workforce capable of meeting future challenges. As part of our commitment to providing safe and reliable electric service to our communities, our scholarship program is designed to foster talent, prepare students for future careers, and strengthen the pipeline of professionals who may one day join the SECO Energy team.
Eligibility Criteria
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Applicants must graduate from high school by the end of the 2025-2026 academic year (May/June) and enroll in a Florida-based college, university, or technical school by the end of the same year.
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Special emphasis will be given to students pursuing degrees in technology, business, engineering, or mathematics, especially those aligned with the energy sector. Relevant majors include computer science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical, nuclear, environmental, civil, agricultural/biological, industrial, materials science, and various mathematics disciplines.
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Applicants must reside in a household within SECO Energy’s service area or live with a parent or legal guardian who is an active SECO Energy member at the time of award.
Evaluation Process
Applications will be evaluated based on financial need, academic achievement, community involvement, quality of the personal statement or essay, and the relevance of the applicant’s chosen major to a STEM or energy-related career path. Please note that the evaluation decisions are final, and feedback appeals cannot be provided.
Application Details
The 2026 SECO Energy Youth Scholarship Program application is available online at SECOEnergy.com > Your Co-op > Youth Scholarship Program. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 27, 2026. For inquiries regarding SECO Energy’s Scholarship Program, please contact YouthPrograms@SECOEnergy.com.
Scammers are still active and continue targeting members through phone calls, door-to-door visits, emails, and Google ads. Some Google ad scams can appear as legitimate paid search results but lead to fake payment portals or fraudulent customer service numbers designed to steal personal information.
We’ve received reports of door-to-door scammers falsely claiming to partner with SECO Energy. SECO does not partner with any solar companies. Always verify the identity of anyone who approaches your home. Only trust crews and contractors who arrive in clearly marked SECO vehicles and carry official company ID.
If you encounter suspicious activity, do not engage. Stop the interaction immediately. If you feel threatened or unsafe, contact local law enforcement right away.
WHAT IS ELECTRICAL OR PEAK DEMAND AND HOW DOES IT AFFECT MY BILL?
QUESTION FROM MEMBER:
I keep hearing about “electrical (peak) demand.” What does that mean, and why does it matter for my bill?
YOU ASK; WE ANSWER:
Electrical or peak demand is the amount of electricity homes and businesses served by SECO Energy are using at any given moment. Think of it like traffic on a busy highway. When many drivers are on the road at once, traffic slows. Similarly, when everyone in your neighborhood is using a lot of electricity at once, whether it’s running appliances like your air conditioners, washers and dryers, microwave, or using multiple high-energy devices at once – demand increases.
When demand is high, SECO must purchase additional electricity from our wholesale provider, Seminole Electric. During these peak periods, electricity is more expensive because it often requires activating additional resources, such as bringing another power plant online or buying higher-cost energy. These higher wholesale costs directly influence the price members pay for electricity. That is why understanding electrical demand – and how your usage patterns affect your bill – matters.
To help members better manage both demand and costs, SECO offers an optional Residential Time-of-Use (TOU) rate schedule. The idea is simple: Electricity is priced based on when you use it. During low-demand periods, rates are lower. During high-demand periods, rates rise to reflect the increased cost of supplying power.
From November through March, demand is lowest between 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., which makes this the least expensive time to use electricity. During these cooler months, the busiest – and most expensive – times on our system are between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. as many households start their day.
By shifting certain household tasks to off-peak hours, such as running the dishwasher later in the evening, charging devices overnight, or doing laundry after peak hours, you can significantly reduce your monthly electric bill and help keep the grid operating more efficiently for everyone.
THINKING ABOUT SWITCHING TO OUR TIME-OF-USE RATE?
Contact Member services at (352) 793 – 3801 or use the Contact Us form on our website to learn more.
Celebrate Cut Your Energy Costs Day on January 10 by taking a simple, weekend-friendly step to save energy and money. This month, try a simple DIY project to block drafts and make your home more energy-efficient by keeping warm air in and cold air out – perfect for winter!
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
- Weatherstripping or foam tape
- DIY draft stoppers (DIY: fabric filled with rice or sand)
- Optional: Window insulation film
STEPS:
- Find drafty areas around doors or windows.
- Apply weatherstripping or foam tape to seal gaps.
- Place draft stoppers at the base of doors and sliding glass doors.
- Optional: Apply window film to single-pane windows for extra insulation.
WHY IT WORKS:
- Reduces heating costs.
- Keeps your home warm and more comfortable.
- Quick, easy, and perfect for a weekend project.
STAY COZY AND SAVE ENERGY THIS WINTER – SMALL STEPS MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE!
Protect your home from damaging surges with SECO Energy’s Surge MitiGator™ program. Lease the protection for only $5.95 per month or purchase for $349 (both plus tax) – with free installation!
For even greater protection, consider adding point-of-use surge devices to safeguard electronics and appliances, available at local big-box and hardware stores.
Read the full January 2026 SECO News