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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 AJZ7CEmeGR42BRzW/vkn2xeRQY/H7GHBwS/6P8SQrcFiCqsTMOE16fJll4nEzP8u
 io191ILEUz0DYlfxyxNQSg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001404409-09-000005.txt : 20090105
<SEC-HEADER>0001404409-09-000005.hdr.sgml : 20090105
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090105163511
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001404409-09-000005
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090102
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090105
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090105

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RANKIN THOMPSON L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001185344

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-08180
		FILM NUMBER:		09505760

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5324 INTERBAY BOULEVARD
		CITY:			TAMPA
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33611

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TECO ENERGY INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000350563
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ELECTRIC SERVICES [4911]
		IRS NUMBER:				592052286
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			FL
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		702 N FRANKLIN ST
		STREET 2:		TECO PLAZA
		CITY:			TAMPA
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33602
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8132284111

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		702 N FRANKLIN ST
		STREET 2:		TECO PLAZA
		CITY:			TAMPA
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33602
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-01-02</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000350563</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TECO ENERGY INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>TE</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001185344</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>RANKIN THOMPSON L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O TECO ENERGY, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>P.O. BOX 111</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>TAMPA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>FL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>33601</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Phantom Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-01-02</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>967.476</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>12.145</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>967.476</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>42799.598</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">1-for-1.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The Phantom Stock Units were accrued under the TECO Energy, Inc. Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan and are to be settled in cash following the reporting person's retirement.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Includes shares acquired through dividend reinvestment.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>David E. Schwartz, by Power of Attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-01-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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