Duke Energy plans to build a new 1,400 MW natural gas power plant in Anderson County, SC, to meet growing electricity demand from population and economic growth. The project, aligned with the company’s 2024 Carolinas Resource Plan, will use existing infrastructure and advanced, water-efficient technology. Construction is expected to begin in 2027, with the plant potentially operational by 2031, pending regulatory approval. State leaders praised the move as essential for South Carolina’s energy future. Read their full press release:
Duke Energy announced today the company’s intent to submit an application to the Public Service Commission of South Carolina (PSCSC) for approval to build a new natural gas power plant in Anderson County.
Why it matters: As part of the company’s responsibility to serve nearly 860,000 retail electric customers across 30 South Carolina counties, Duke Energy needs to build and enable large amounts of new generation quickly to keep up with the success the state is seeing in economic development and population growth.
- Adding proven new natural gas technology to the electric grid acknowledges and responds to the efforts of state leaders to address these tremendous electricity generation needs.
- The project will benefit from the significant partnership recently announced between Duke Energy and GE Vernova to provide natural gas turbines and other associated equipment – manufactured in Greenville, S.C. – to meet the growing needs of advanced manufacturing, data centers and population growth.
- The project is consistent with the near-term actions approved in the company’s Carolinas Resource Plan in 2024.
By the numbers: The company expects to submit the construction application to the PSCSC later this year. If approved, construction is anticipated to begin in summer 2027 and would be expected to serve customers by early 2031.
- The company’s plans would construct the facility on nearly 200 acres located on Highway 81 South near True Temper Road in Anderson County.
- The site is advantageous and would use existing transmission infrastructure nearby to provide about 1,400 megawatts of electricity to support the homes and businesses of a rapidly growing region and state.
- The innovative design of the facility would also significantly reduce the need for large amounts of water, creating less burden on the county’s infrastructure.
Next steps: Beginning this week, residents, property owners and businesses near the proposed energy center location will receive additional information on the project to include details on how they can share feedback with the company.
More info: Additional details about the proposed project can be found here.
What they’re saying
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Gov. Henry McMaster: “South Carolina’s continued prosperity depends on reliable, forward-looking energy projects like this one. We are grateful to have a committed partner like Duke Energy taking the necessary steps to meet our state’s rising energy demand and ensure we are well-equipped to power our bright future.”
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Speaker of the House Murrell Smith: “South Carolina’s continued economic success depends on reliable, affordable energy infrastructure that can keep pace with our rapid growth. Duke Energy’s investment in a new natural gas facility in Anderson County is a direct response to that need, and it reflects the type of forward-thinking solutions encouraged by the S.C. Energy Security Act. I applaud this step toward strengthening our grid and supporting the families, businesses and industries driving our state forward.”
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Senate President Thomas Alexander: “I’m grateful to Duke Energy for providing this significant investment to meet the future demands of our citizens and to ensure future economic prosperity. We must ensure South Carolina has the energy capacity to meet the growing needs of our residents and businesses. When you flip a switch, you should have confidence the lights will come on. This is an example of their commitment to the future energy security in our region and the State of South Carolina.”
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Anderson County Council Chairman Tommy Dunn: “For many years, Duke Energy has been an integral part of Anderson County. This proposed project reflects that enduring relationship and a step forward in our shared vision for the future. The potential benefits for our schools, our local economy, and our broader community are substantial and essential. We are excited about what this means for families across the county and look forward to continuing our strong collaboration with Duke Energy to build a brighter future.”
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Duke Energy South Carolina President Tim Pearson: “We are at a critical point in planning for South Carolina’s reliable, affordable and resilient energy future. By enacting the S.C. Energy Security Act, Gov. McMaster and the Legislature have provided a comprehensive path forward for energy policy that will guide our state’s continued success for many years to come. Committing to building this modern energy facility in Anderson County is a critical piece of that strong energy future for the region.”
Read more here.
