Duke Energy files resource plan to serve the future energy needs of a growing and prosperous South Carolina
- The recommended portfolio extends the lives of Duke Energy's nuclear plants and doubles the peak hourly capacity of the Bad Creek pumped hydro storage facility, providing significant economic benefits of $7.3 billion to South Carolina.
- The plan recommends Portfolio 3 as the most prudent path forward to comply with South Carolina and other applicable law, supporting the state's economic prosperity.
- Stakeholder engagement was an important step in developing the resource plan, with over 100 individuals attending virtual sessions to provide input.
- None.
- Plan calls for an "all of the above" approach to future energy generation
- Includes doubling peak hourly capacity of
Oconee County's Bad Creek pumped storage facility - Reflects rigorous stakeholder outreach and feedback
To that end, Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress today filed their Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) with the Public Service Commission of
"Over the next 15 years, electric use by Duke Energy customers in the Carolinas is projected to surge by around 35,000 gigawatt-hours – more than the annual electric generation of
The IRP includes three energy portfolios presented to the PSCSC that provide a range of generation options, reflecting the companies' "all of the above" approach to powering the energy needs of a growing region. The plan recommends Portfolio 3 as the most prudent path forward to comply with
"This disciplined plan presents a path to build upon the tremendous economic development activity in our state that will contribute to the long-term vibrancy and prosperity of
Benefits of the recommended portfolio
The recommended portfolio accounts for dramatic recent growth in the Carolinas and the accelerating transition to electric transportation by residential and nonresidential customers alike. At the same time, this pathway helps reliably exit coal by 2035, protecting customers from increasing risks and costs as the coal industry declines.
It also makes the most of the companies' existing system resources by extending the lives of Duke Energy's nuclear plants and extending the license of the Bad Creek pumped hydro storage facility in
Portfolio 3 takes an "all of the above" approach with a diverse and reliable set of solutions, including new hydrogen-capable natural gas resources, energy storage, small modular nuclear reactors complemented by fuel-free renewable energy, and shrinks the challenges of growth and the transition from coal toward a lower carbon future by expanding the companies' industry-leading energy efficiency (EE) and demand response options.
Stakeholder input critical to the process
Earlier this year, Duke Energy continued engagement with stakeholders to discuss the development of these resource plans, which represent an evolution from prior plans filed with the PSCSC and shared with stakeholders. The information gathered throughout the stakeholder process was an important step to informing these plans.
Over the course of four months, the companies held five engagement meetings on technical, complex issues involving resource planning. More than 100 individuals, representing a diverse group of attendees that included customers, environmental advocates, community leaders and other industry representatives, attended these virtual sessions.
"We appreciate the significant input we received from everyone that helped inform these plans," Callahan said. "Preparing for a successful energy future for
The presentation materials and Q&A from these engagement sessions as well as additional documents and links related to the IRP process can be viewed on the IRP website.
Next steps
Today's filing in
The resource plan will also be submitted to the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) in the coming days, where a similar but separate regulatory process will take place. These plans are checked and adjusted every two to three years with updates filed in both states.
Duke Energy Carolinas/Duke Energy Progress
Duke Energy serves about 830,000 households and businesses in
Duke Energy Carolinas owns 19,500 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 2.8 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 24,000-square-mile service area in
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in
Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2023 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' "World's Best Employers" list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
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SOURCE Duke Energy
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