As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 28, 2017.October 14, 2022.

Registration No. 333-            

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORMS-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Tampa Electric Company

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number,

Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

David E. Schwartz,Michelle V. Szekeres, Esq.

Secretary

Tampa Electric Company.Company

TECO Plaza

702 North Franklin Street

Tampa, Florida 33602

(813)228-1111

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

with copies to:

Aileen C. Meehan,Megan Foscaldi, Esq.

Locke Lord LLP

Brookfield Place111 Huntington Avenue

200 Vesey Street, 20th Floor

New York, New York 10281Boston, Massachusetts 02199

(212)(617) 912-2982239-0282

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:

From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  ☐

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  ☒

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether Tampa Electric Company is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, anon-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” andfiler,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act.☐

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until this registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell nor does it seek an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

PROSPECTUS

Subject to completion, dated February 28, 2017October 14, 2022

PROSPECTUS

TAMPA ELECTRIC COMPANY

$1,000,000,0002,000,000,000

Debt Securities

First Mortgage Bonds

Preferred Stock

Tampa Electric Company may offer and sell from time to time any combination of the securities described in this prospectus, up to an aggregate amount of $1,000,000,000.$2,000,000,000.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. We may offer the securities as separate series, in amounts, prices and on terms determined at the time of the sale. When we offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement and we may also provide an issuer free writing prospectus (such as a term sheet) describing the terms of the specific securities being offered, including the offering price.You should read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any issuer free writing prospectus relating to the particular offering of securities, together with the additional information described under the heading “WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION” on page 1 of this prospectus, before you make your investment decision.

Seerisk factors on page 35 for information on where to find a discussion of certain factors that should be considered by prospective investors in these securities.

We may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers or agents, or directly to investors, on a continuous or delayed basis.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

The date of this prospectus is              , 2017.2022.

Tampa Electric Company

TECO Plaza  •  702 NorthN. Franklin Street  •  Tampa, Florida33602  •  (813) 228-1111

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the “SEC,” using a “shelf” registration process. Under the shelf process, we may, from time to time, issue and sell to the public any combination of the securities described in the registration statement in one or more offerings up to a total amount of $1,000,000,000.$2,000,000,000. This prospectus is a part of the registration statement and does not contain all the information in the registration statement. Each time we offer to sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Whenever a reference is made in this prospectus to one of our contracts or other documents, the reference is only a summary and you should refer to the exhibits that are a part of the registration statement for a copy of the contract or other document. You may review a copy of the registration statement at the SEC’s public reference room in Washington, D.C., as well as through the SEC’s website as indicated below under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

In this prospectus, “TEC,” the “Company,” “we”, “our”, “ours” and “us” refer to Tampa Electric Company unless otherwise specified or the context requires otherwise.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

Tampa Electric Company is subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and files reports and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any of these documents at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. Our SEC filings are also available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Copies of thecertain information we filefiled by us with the SEC are also available on theour website of our parent company, TECO Energy, Inc. (which we refer to as “TECO Energy”) at www.tecoenergy.com. TECO Energy’swww.tampaelectric.com/company/about. The website is not part of this prospectus. You may request a copy of the registration statement, including the exhibits to the registration statement, at no cost by writing or calling us at the address provided below under “Incorporation by Reference.”

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

We “incorporate by reference” in this prospectus certain information we file with the SEC, which means that we are disclosing important information to you by referring you to another document. Any information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. Any reports filed by us with the SEC prior to the completion or termination of this offering, including reports we may file after the date of the initial registration statement and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement, will be incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Any information incorporated by reference in this prospectus will automatically update and, where applicable, supersede any information contained in this prospectus or previously incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We incorporate by reference in this prospectus the Annual Report on Form10-K of Tampa Electric Company for the year ended December  31, 2016,2021, which we have filed with the SEC; the Quarterly Reports of Tampa Electric Company on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March  31, 2022, and June 30, 2022, which we have filed with the SEC; the Current Reports of Tampa Electric Company on Form 8-K which we filed with the SEC on July 8, 2022 and July 18, 2022; and all other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act since December 31, 2021, and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, on or after the date of this prospectus and before the termination of this offering; except that, unless we indicate otherwise, we do not incorporate any information furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of any Current Report onForm 8-K.

We will provide a copy of these filings,any or all of the information incorporated by reference in the prospectus, at no cost, upon written or oral request. Requests can be made by writing or telephoning us at the following address:address and phone number:

TreasurerAttention: Corporate Secretary

Tampa Electric Company

TECO Plaza

702 North Franklin Street

Tampa, Florida 33602

(813)228-1111

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement or issuer free writing prospectus (such as a term sheet) relating to a particular offering of our securities. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer to sell our securities, nor are we seeking an offer to buy our securities, in any statejurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or in any prospectus supplement or issuer free writing prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date set forth onof this prospectus, any such prospectus supplement or issuer free writing prospectus, or the frontdate of each such document.the document incorporated by reference. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those respective dates.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, each prospectus supplement, the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus and each prospectus supplement, and the information included in any issuer free writing prospectus relating to a particular offering, may contain statements about future events, expectations or future financial performance. These forward-looking statements are identifiable by our use of such words as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “project,” “will” or other similar words or expressions.

Without limiting the foregoing, any statements relating to our:

are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions that we believe are reasonable, but they are open to a wide range of uncertainties and business risks. New risks and uncertainties come up from time to time, and we are not able to predict these events or how they may affect us. In any event, these and other important factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by our forward-looking statements. When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the cautionary statements describing these uncertainties and business risks in this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement, any issuer free writing prospectus related to a particular offering, and the documents incorporated herein and therein by reference, including those set forth under “Risk Factors” in our filings with the SEC.

You should also keep in mind that any forward-looking statement made by us in this prospectus or elsewhere speaks only as of the date on which we make it. We do not intendundertake to update or revise the forward-looking statements in this prospectus after the date of this prospectus, except as may be required by law.

RISK FACTORS

Our business is subject to uncertainties and risks. The prospectus supplement applicable to each offering of our securities will contain a discussion of the risks applicable to an investment in the securities being offered. Prior to making a decision to invest in our securities, you should carefully consider and evaluate all of the information included and incorporated by reference in the applicable prospectus supplement or included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, including the risk factors incorporated by reference from our most recent Annual Report on Form10-K, as updated by our Quarterly Reports on Form10-Q and other SEC filings filed after the date of this prospectus. The risks described in this prospectus and in our SEC filings subsequent to the date of this prospectus which are incorporated by reference herein, as well as additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us, or that we currently deem to be immaterial, could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations, prospects, liquidity, financial condition and/or future operating results.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular offering of our securities, we will use the net proceeds from the sale of securities offered by this prospectus for general corporate purposes, which may include capital expenditures, working capital, the possible repayment of the indebtedness outstanding under our credit facilities, and other corporate expenses.

TAMPA ELECTRIC COMPANY

We are a public utility company that is a wholly-owned subsidiaryoperating within the State of TECO Energy, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Emera Inc.Florida. Our electric division, referred to as Tampa Electric, division provides retail electric service to customers in west central Florida. Our gas division, referred to as Peoples Gas System divisionor PGS, is engaged in the purchase, distribution and sale of natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial and electric power generation customers throughoutin Florida. All of our common stock is owned by TECO Energy, Inc., a holding company that is in turn a wholly owned subsidiary of Emera Inc. (“Emera”), a geographically diverse energy and services company headquartered in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Our principal executive offices are located at TECO Plaza, 702 North Franklin Street, Tampa, Florida 33602. Our telephone number is(813) 228-1111.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES OF TAMPA ELECTRIC COMPANY

The debt securities (other than first mortgage bonds, which are described below) will be unsecured and, unless indicated otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement or issuer free writing prospectus relating to a particular offering, will rank on parity with all our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. If we issue debt securities, we will issue them in one or more series under an indenture dated as of July 1, 1998 between Tampa Electric Company and The Bank of New York Mellon (formerly known as The Bank of New York), as trustee. We filed the indenture as an exhibit to Amendment No. 1 to Tampa Electric Company’s Registration Statement on FormS-3 dated July 13, 1998 (RegistrationNo. 333-55873). The following description of the terms of the debt securities summarizes the material terms of the debt securities. The description is not complete and we refer you to the indenture, which we incorporate by reference.

General

The indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities or of any particular series of debt securities that we may issue under it. We are not required to issue debt securities of any series at the same time nor must the debt securities within any series bear interest at the same rate or mature on the same date.

Each time that we issue a new series of debt securities, the prospectus supplement and any issuer free writing prospectus relating to that new series will describe the particular amount, price and other terms of those debt securities. These terms may include:

Unless the prospectus supplement or issuer free writing prospectus relating to the issuance of a series of debt securities indicates otherwise, the debt securities will have the following characteristics:

We will issue debt securities only in fully registered form, without coupons and, generally, in denominations of $1,000 or multiples of $1,000. We will not charge a service fee for the registration, transfer or exchange of debt securities, but we may require a payment sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with registration, transfer or exchange.

The principal of, and any premium and interest on, any series of debt securities will be payable at the corporate trust office of The Bank of New York Mellon specified for such series of securities and otherwise in New York, New York. Debt securities will be exchangeable and transfers thereof will be registrable at this corporate trust office. Payment of any interest due on any debt security will be made to the person in whose name the debt security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for interest.

We will have the right to redeem the debt securities only upon written notice to the holders mailed between 30 and 60 days prior to the redemption date.

If we plan to redeem the debt securities, before the redemption occurs we are not required to:

We may offer and sell debt securities at a substantial discount below their principal amount. We will describe any applicable special federal income tax and other considerations, if any, in the prospectus supplement or issuer free writing prospectus relating to the particular offering. We may also describe in the relevant prospectus supplement or issuer free writing prospectus certain special federal income tax or other considerations, if any, applicable to any debt securities that are denominated in a currency or currency unit other than U.S. dollars.

The indenture does not provide special protection for the debt securities in the event we are involved in a highly leveraged transaction.

Global Securities

If we decide to issue debt securities in the form of one or more global securities, then we will register the global securities in the name of the depositary for the global securities or the nominee of the depositary and the global securities will be delivered by the trustee to the depositary for credit to the accounts of the holders of beneficial interests in the debt securities.

The applicable prospectus supplement or issuer free writing prospectus will describe the specific terms of the depositary arrangement for debt securities of a series that are issued in global form. None of our company, the trustee, any payment agent or the security registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a global debt security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to these beneficial ownership interests.

Consolidation, Merger, Etc.

We will not consolidate or merge with or into any other corporation or other organization, or sell, convey or transfer all or substantially all of our assets to any individual or organization, unless:

Upon the assumption by the successor of our obligations under the indenture and the debt securities issued thereunder, and the satisfaction of any other conditions required by the indenture, the successor will succeed to and be substituted for us under the indenture.

Modification of the Indenture

The indenture provides that we and the trustee may modify or amend its terms with the consent of (i) the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each affected series and (ii) 66 2/3% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all affected series. However, without the consent of each holder of all of the outstanding debt securities affected by that modification, we may not:

Under limited circumstances and only upon the fulfillment of conditions, we and the trustee may make modifications and amendments of the indenture without the consent of any holders of the debt securities.

The holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may waive any past default under the indenture with respect to that series except:

indemnity. Subject to such provisions for security and indemnification of the trustee and other rights of the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceedings for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series.

The holder of any debt security will have an absolute and unconditional right to receive payment of the principal of and any premium and, subject to limitations specified in the indenture, interest on such debt security on its stated maturity date (or, in the case of redemption, on the redemption date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any of these payments.

We must furnish to the trustee an annual statement that to the best of our knowledge we are not in default in the performance and observance of any terms, provisions or conditions of the indenture or, if there has been such a default, specifying each default and its status.

Satisfaction and Discharge of the Indenture

We will have satisfied and discharged the indenture and it will cease to be in effect (except as to our obligations to compensate, reimburse and indemnify the trustee pursuant to the indenture and some other obligations) when we deposit or cause to be deposited with the trustee, in trust, an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the debt securities not previously delivered to the trustee for cancellation, for the principal (and premium, if any) and interest to the date of the deposit (or to the stated maturity date or earlier redemption date for debt securities that have been called for redemption).

Defeasance of Debt Securities

Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement or issuer free writing prospectus for a series of debt securities, and subject to the terms of the indenture, we may request to be discharged from any and all obligations with respect to any debt securities or series of debt securities (except for certain obligations to register the transfer or exchange of such debt securities, to replace such debt securities if stolen, lost or mutilated, to maintain paying agencies and to hold money for payment in trust) on and after the date the conditions set forth in the indenture are satisfied. Such conditions include the deposit with the trustee, in trust for such purpose, of money and/or U.S. government obligations, which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on such debt securities on the stated maturity date of such payments or upon redemption, as the case may be, in accordance with the terms of the indenture and such debt securities.

Under current federal income tax law, the defeasance of the debt securities would be treated as a taxable exchange of the relevant debt securities in which holders of debt securities would recognize gain or loss. In addition, thereafter, the amount, timing and character of amounts that holders would be required to include in income might be different from that which would be includable in the absence of such defeasance. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors as to the specific consequences of a defeasance, including the applicability and effect of tax laws other than the federal income tax laws.

The Trustee

The trustee is The Bank of New York Mellon, which maintains banking relationships with us in the ordinary course of business and serves as trustee under other indentures with us and some of our affiliates.

Governing Law

The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

DESCRIPTION OF FIRST MORTGAGE BONDS OF TAMPA ELECTRIC COMPANY

Any first mortgage bonds will be issued under and secured by the Twentieth Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 1, 2013 between Tampa Electric Company and U.S. Bank National Association, successor to State Street Bank and Trust Company, as trustee, mortgagee and secured party (which Twentieth Supplemental Indenture constitutes an amendment and restatement of the Indenture of Mortgage among Tampa Electric Company, State Street Trust Company and First Savings & Trust Company of Tampa dated as of August 1, 1946), as such Twentieth Supplemental Indenture is supplemented and modified by one or more future supplemental indentures creating each new series of first mortgage bonds, which we refer to hereinafter as the indenture.

Copies of the instruments constituting the indenture are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and reference is made thereto for further information including definitions of certain terms used herein. The following description of the terms of the first mortgage bonds summarizes the material terms of the first mortgage bonds. The description is not complete and we refer you to the indenture, as may be amended or restated, which we incorporate by reference.

General

We will issue first mortgage bonds only in fully registered form, without coupons and in denominations of $1,000 or multiples of $1,000 unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. The principal of, and any premium and interest on, any series of first mortgage bonds will be payable at the corporate trust office of U.S. Bank National Association specified for such series of first mortgage bonds and otherwise in New York, New York. First mortgage bonds will be exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of first mortgage bonds of other authorized denominations, and will be transferable at the trustee’s corporate trust office, without payment of any charge other than for any stamp tax or other governmental charge incident thereto.

Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement relating to the first mortgage bonds, there are no provisions in the Indenture that require the us to redeem, or permit the holders to cause a redemption of, the first mortgage bonds or that otherwise protect the holders in the event that we incur substantial additional indebtedness, whether or not in connection with a change in control.

Certain Terms and Provisions

The relevant prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any series of first mortgage bonds being offered pursuant to this prospectus, including:

Security and Priority of Lien

The first mortgage bonds will be secured by the indenture equally and ratably with any additional first mortgage bonds that may be issued under the indenture. The indenture creates, as security for such outstanding or any additional first mortgage bonds, a first mortgage lien (subject to permitted encumbrances as defined in the indenture) upon certain electric utility property owned by us and described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Issuance of Additional Bonds and Withdrawal of Cash Deposited Against Such Issuance

The principal amount of first mortgage bonds which we may issue under the indenture is not limited except as follows. First mortgage bonds of any series may be issued from time to time on the basis of (i) 60% of property additions, and (ii) 100% of cash deposited with the trustee. The issuance of new first mortgage bonds is subject to net earnings available for interest for 12 consecutive months out of the preceding 15 months being at least two times the annual interest requirements on all first mortgage bonds and all prior lien debt to be outstanding. Cash deposited with the trustee may be withdrawn upon certification that we would be able to issue at least $1.00 of additional first mortgage bonds after such withdrawal.

Global Securities

If we decide to issue first mortgage bonds in the form of one or more global securities, then we will register the global securities in the name of the depositary for the global securities or the nominee of the depositary and the global securities will be delivered by the trustee to the depositary for credit to the accounts of the holders of beneficial interests in the first mortgage bonds.

The applicable prospectus supplement or issuer free writing prospectus will describe the specific terms of the depositary arrangement for first mortgage bonds of a series that are issued in global form. None of Tampa Electric Company, the trustee, any payment agent or the security registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a global first mortgage bond or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to these beneficial ownership interests.

Defaults

A default is defined in the indenture as (a) failure to pay the principal or premium when due, (b) failure to pay interest for 30 days after becoming due, (c) failure to discharge or satisfy any sinking, improvement, maintenance, or renewal and replacement fund obligation for 60 days after becoming due, (d) failure to perform or observe other covenants, agreements or conditions for 90 days after notice, (e) entry of an order for reorganization or appointment of a trustee or receiver and continuance of such order or appointment unstayed for 90 days, (f) certain adjudications, petitions or consents in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization proceedings or (g) rendering of a judgment in excess of $50 million and its continuance unsatisfied for 90 days.

Within 90 days after the occurrence of a default (not including any period of grace and irrespective of the giving of any required notice) the trustee shall give to the first mortgage bondholders notice of all defaults known to the trustee, unless such defaults shall have been cured before the giving of such notice, but in the case of a default described in clause (d) above, no such notice shall be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof; provided, however, that except in the case of default in the payment of the principal of or interest on any of the first mortgage bonds, or in the payment of any sinking, improvement or purchase fund installment, the

trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as its board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or responsible officers of the trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the first mortgage bondholders. The indenture does not require the trustee to give any notice of any default that has been cured.

In case one or more defaults shall occur and be continuing, either the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the first mortgage bonds outstanding may accelerate the maturity of all the first mortgage bonds then outstanding. Such acceleration and its consequences may be annulled, prior to the sale of any part of the trust estate under the indenture, by the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the first mortgage bonds then outstanding, but only if all defaults have been cured and all payments due (other than by acceleration) have been made.

The holders of not less than a majority in principal amount outstanding of the first mortgage bonds have the right to require the trustee to enforce the indenture, but the trustee is entitled to receive reasonable indemnity and under certain circumstances is not required to act.

Modification of Indenture and Waiver of Default

The rights of the first mortgage bondholders may be modified with the consent of the holders of 75% of the principal amount outstanding of the first mortgage bonds, including not less than 60% of the principal amount outstanding of each series affected, except that no modification of the terms of maturity or payment of principal, premium or interest is effective against any first mortgage bondholder without its consent and no modification permitting additional, prior or parity liens or reducing the percentage of first mortgage bonds required for modification, is effective without the consent of the holders of all of the outstanding bonds.

The holders of not less than 75% in aggregate principal amount of the first mortgage bonds then outstanding (including not less than 60% in principal amount of the first mortgage bonds of each series) may waive any past default and its consequences (except a default in the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any first mortgage bond).

We furnish written statements to the trustee annually and when certain events occur to show that we are in compliance with the indenture and that there are no defaults under the indenture.

The Trustee

The trustee is U.S. Bank National Association, which maintains banking relationships with us in the ordinary course of business.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK OF TAMPA ELECTRIC COMPANY

We currently have authorized 1,500,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock, $100 par value per share, and 2,500,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock, no par value per share, none of which were issued and outstanding as of the date of this prospectus. Under Florida law and our charter, our board is authorized to issue shares of preferred stock from time to time in one or more series.

Subject to limitations prescribed by Florida law and our charter andby-laws, our board can determine the number of shares constituting each series of preferred stock and the designation, preferences, qualifications, and special or relative rights or privileges of that series. These may include provisions as may be desired concerning redemption, dividends, dissolution, or the distribution of assets, conversion or exchange, and other subjects or matters as may be fixed by resolution of the board or an authorized committee of the board.

The holders of Preferred Stock are not entitled to vote except:

On matters on which holders of shares of our preferred stock are entitled to vote, each holder of preferred stock, $100 par value, is entitled to one vote for each share held, and each holder of preferred stock, no par value, is entitled to one vote per $100 of liquidation value plus a pro rata fraction of one vote for each fraction of $100 liquidation value;

If we offer a specific series of preferred stock under this prospectus, we will describe the terms of the preferred stock in the prospectus supplement for such offering and will file a copy of the charter amendment establishing the terms of the preferred stock with the SEC. This description will include:

The preferred stock offered by this prospectus will, when issued, be fully paid and nonassessable and will not have, or be subject to, any preemptive or similar rights.

Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the preferred stock will, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, rank as follows:

As used for these purposes, the term “equity securities” does not include convertible debt securities.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell any of the securities:

We and our agents and underwriters may sell any of the securities from time to time in one or more transactions:

We may directly solicit offers to purchase securities. We may also designate agents from time to time to solicit offers to purchase securities. Any agent, who may be deemed to be an “underwriter” as that term is defined in the Securities Act of 1933, may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by that agent at the time of resale.

If we use underwriters to sell securities, we will enter into an underwriting agreement with them at the time of the sale to them. The names of the underwriters will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement that will be used by them together with this prospectus to make resales of the securities to the public. In connection with the sale of the securities offered, these underwriters may be deemed to have received compensation from us in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions. Underwriters may also receive commissions from purchasers of the securities.

Underwriters may also use dealers to sell securities. If this happens, these dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents.

Any underwriting compensation paid by us to underwriters in connection with the offering of any of the securities, and any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers, will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Underwriters, dealers, agents and other persons may be entitled, under agreements that may be entered into with us, to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, or to contribution with respect to payments that they may be required to make in respect of these liabilities. Underwriters and agents may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business.

If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize underwriters, dealers, or other persons to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase the securities offered by us under this prospectus pursuant to contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date or dates. The obligations of any purchaser under any these contracts will be subject only to those conditions described in the applicable prospectus supplement, and the prospectus supplement will set forth the price to be paid for securities pursuant to these contracts and the commissions payable for solicitation of these contracts.

Any underwriter may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing and syndicate short covering transactions and penalty bids only in compliance with Regulation M of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. If we offer securities in an “at the market” offering, stabilizing transactions will not be permitted. Over-allotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which creates a short position. Stabilizing transactions involve bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Syndicate short covering transactions involve purchases of securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim selling concessions from dealers when the securities originally sold by the dealers are purchased in covering transactions to cover syndicate short positions. These transactions may cause the price of the securities sold in an offering to be higher than it would otherwise be. These transactions, if commenced, may be discontinued by the underwriters at any time.

Each series of securities offered under this prospectus will be a new issue with no established trading market. Any underwriters to whom we sell securities for public offering and sale may make a market in the securities, but these underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We may elect to list any of the securities we may offer from time to time for trading on an exchange, but we are not obligated to do so.

The anticipated date of delivery of the securities offered hereby will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to each offering.

LEGAL MATTERS

In connection with particular offerings of securities hereby in the future, and if stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of those securities may be passed upon for us by Locke Lord LLP, Boston, Massachusetts, or counsel named in the applicable prospectus supplement. Legal counsel to any underwriters may pass upon legal matters for such underwriters.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements incorporatedof TEC appearing in this prospectus by reference to theTEC’s Annual Report on Form(Form 10-K10-K) of Tampa Electric Company for the year ended December 31, 20162021 have been soaudited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance on theupon such report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered certified public accounting firm, given on the authority of saidsuch firm as experts in auditingaccounting and accounting.auditing.

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

The following is an estimate of the fees and expenses (except for the actual registration fee), other than underwriting discounts and commissions, payable or reimbursable by us in connection with the issuance and distribution of the offered securities being registered.

The bylaws of Tampa Electric Company provide that we will indemnify to the full extent permitted by law any person who is or was a party to any threatened, pending or completed proceeding because such person is or was a director or officer for us or is or was serving at our request as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise. The bylaws provide that directors, officers and employees are not entitled to indemnification in proceedings initiated by such person as a plaintiff, unless the proceeding was authorized the Board of Directors. The indemnification provided for in our bylaws is expressly not exclusive of all other rights to which the person may be entitled as a matter of law.

Section 607.0850 of the Florida Business Corporation Act provides that a corporation may indemnify each person who was or is a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving, at the request of the corporation, as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against liability, expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with any such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the registrant, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful; provided, however, no indemnification shall be made in connection with any proceeding brought by or in the right of the registrant where the person involved is adjudged to be liable to the corporation, except to the extent approved by a court.

Emera Inc. maintains an insurance policy on behalf of the directors and officers of its affiliates, including Tampa Electric Company, covering certain liabilities that may be incurred by the directors and officers when acting in their capacities as such.

If the securities are sold to or through underwriters or agents, we expect that the agreement with such underwriters or agents will provide that such underwriters or agents will indemnify our directors and officers against certain liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.

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See Exhibit Index immediately following the signature page hereof, which is incorporated herein by reference.

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(a)    

(1)     To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by us pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

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(2)     That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initialbona fide offering thereof.

(3)     To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4)     That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

(A)     Each prospectus filed by a registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(B)     Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is

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part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

(5)     That, for the purpose of determining liability of a registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(b)     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c)     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions referred to in Item 15 hereof, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by a registrant of expenses incurred or paid by directors, officers or controlling persons of a registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by the registrant is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

(d)     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on FormS-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Tampa, State of Florida, on February 28, 2017.October 14, 2022.

POWER OF ATTORNEY

We, the undersigned officers and directors of Tampa Electric Company, hereby severally constitute and appoint Gordon L. Gillette,Archie Collins, Gregory W. Blunden, David M. Nicholson, and David E. SchwartzMichelle V. Szekeres our true and lawful attorneys, with full power to them in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this Registration Statement on FormS-3 (including post-effective amendments), and any related Rule 462(b) registration statement or amendment thereto, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of saidattorneys-in-fact may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated as of February 28, 2017.October 14, 2022.

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