NextEra Energy Incorporated, the parent company of Florida Power & Light, has announced it has finished the deal to purchase Gulf Power, the largest electric utility in Northwest Florida, from Atlanta-based Southern Company. Gulf Power serves about 450,000 customers in eight counties. In a statement Tuesday announcing the completion of the sale, NextEra Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jim Robo also praised Gulf Power’s work to restore electricity after Hurricane Michael. Gulf Power is the fourth-largest private electric utility in the state behind Florida Power & Light, Duke Energy Florida and Tampa Electric Company.