Duke Energy proposes 1.4-GW gas-fired plant in South Carolina

Duke Energy Corp. intends to submit a plan to the Public Service Commission of South Carolina seeking permission to build a 1,400-MW natural gas-fired power plant in Anderson County, South Carolina, the company said June 9.

The proposed facility, called the Anderson plant, is consistent with Duke Energy's Carolinas Resource Plan, in which the company identified a need for 6,800 MW of new combined-cycle gas generation and about 2,125 MW of combustion turbine gas generation as part of its recommended portfolio.

In addition, the proposed facility is expected to benefit from a previously announced deal which will see GE Vernova Inc. supply Charlotte, North Carolina-headquartered Duke Energy with up to 11 gas turbines and other associated equipment. The deal is expected to help Duke Energy meet projected demand from advanced manufacturing, data centers and population growth, the utility said in a news release.

"By enacting the [South Carolina] Energy Security Act, Gov. [Henry] 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," Duke Energy South Carolina President Tim Pearson said in a statement. "Committing to building this modern energy facility in Anderson County is a critical piece of that strong energy future for the region."

The facility is expected to be built on nearly 200 acres located on Highway 81 South near True Temper Road in Anderson County and would use existing transmission infrastructure.

Duke Energy plans to submit a construction application to the Public Service Commission of South Carolina later this year. If approved, construction is expected to begin in summer 2027, with commercial operations beginning in early 2031.