Tampa Electric Pledges to Protect Customers and Files New Data Center...

• Tampa Electric's new safeguards establish strong protections for existing customers
• The filing requires large data centers to pay their own way and keeps related electric-system costs from being shifted to other customers
• TECO's approach supports economic opportunity while upholding reliable power for all customers

Tampa Electric today filed with state regulators documents that ensure protections for customers when large-load customers, including data centers, seek service in the company's territory.

The filing, called a tariff, is required under Florida's recently enacted data center law and formalizes Tampa Electric's longstanding approach to growth: existing customers come first. The tariff requires large-load customers to pay for the electric infrastructure needed to serve them, protecting existing customers from those costs. Large-load customers will also contribute to the cost of maintaining and operating the broader electric system they use. As a result, they'll not only pay their own way, but also will share the costs of the electric system, which can help keep costs lower for other customers over time.

"Our role is to support the growth and economic development taking place across West Central Florida while keeping reliable service and customer costs at the center of every decision," said Archie Collins, president and chief executive officer of Tampa Electric. "Large-load customers will pay for the electric system upgrades needed to serve them, and their investments can strengthen the electric system for all customers."

The filing aligns with Tampa Electric's recently published Customer Commitment which outlines how the company will responsibly support growth while protecting the people and communities it serves:

• Existing customers come first
• Electric reliability will not be compromised
• Growth will make the grid stronger
• Today's growth will benefit tomorrow

Tampa Electric's promise to customers and frequently asked questions about data centers are available at TampaElectric.com/OurCommitment.

Existing Customers Come First

Across the country, the rapid expansion of data centers and other large-energy users has sparked questions about who pays for new electric infrastructure and how electric companies plan to serve them without shifting costs to their broader customer bases.

Tampa Electric's position is straightforward: other customers will not bear the costs or financial risks associated with serving large-load customers.

Under Tampa Electric's tariff, and in alignment with Florida law, large-load customers are responsible for paying for all electric system upgrades and other costs required to serve their projects. They also must make long-term financial commitments before service begins. These protections help ensure that residential customers and businesses do not subsidize the costs of serving large-load customers.

Growth Will Not Come at the Expense of Reliable Power

In addition, Tampa Electric remains committed to providing safe, reliable electric service as the region grows.

The company evaluates available power generation, transmission and distribution capacity as part of its long-term planning process and carefully assesses the requirements of proposed large-load projects before agreeing to serve them.

Tampa Electric will not connect large-load customers unless it can do so while continuing to provide reliable service across its system, both today and in the future.

Growth Can Make the Grid Stronger

Large-load customers will be responsible for the electric system upgrades required to serve their projects. Those investments may include improvements to Tampa Electric's generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure. While these upgrades are designed to meet the needs of the new customer, they can also increase system capacity and improve the flexibility and reliability of the broader electric system.

By requiring large-load customers to fund the infrastructure needed to serve their projects and pay their fair share of existing system costs, Tampa Electric can support responsible growth while protecting existing customers and providing reliable service for all. In addition, as large-load customers contribute to the costs of the electric system, those costs can be spread across a larger customer base, helping keep customer costs lower than they otherwise would be.

Planning Today for Tomorrow's Energy System

For more than 125 years, Tampa Electric has balanced growth with reliable service, customer costs and environmental responsibility. The company plans years ahead to meet the region's evolving energy needs and believes disciplined, long-term planning is essential to supporting responsible service and economic development.

By establishing strong customer protections today, Tampa Electric can continue supporting a growing region while keeping its commitment to existing customers and preparing the electric system for the future.

Tampa Electric, one of Florida's largest investor-owned electric utilities, serves about 870,000 customers in West Central Florida. Tampa Electric is a subsidiary of Emera Inc. (NYSE: EMA)