The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday, Aug. 6, edition that Duke Energy announced it will sell a 19.7-per-cent indirect interest in its Florida business to Brookfield Asset Management for $6-billion (all figures U.S.). A Reuters dispatch to The Globe reports that this move is part of a broader strategy to enhance infrastructure investments as electricity demand rises. Additionally, Brookfield raised its five-year capital spending plan by $4-billion to $87-billion, aligning with other U.S. utilities upgrading their electric lines and grids. The U.S. Energy Information Administration has forecast record power consumption in 2025 and 2026. The deal for the Florida business, a utility serving about two million customers, will close in phases starting in early 2026, with Duke remaining the majority owner and operator. About $2-billion of the total proceeds will go toward funding the increase in Duke's capital plan, while the remaining $4-billion will be used to reduce holding company debt. The utility posted adjusted earnings of $1.25 a share, compared with analysts' average estimate of $1.18. Revenue rose to $7.5-billion, up from $7.17-billion a year earlier.