Duke Energy’s plan to build a new natural gas generation facility in Anderson County has been approved by the Public Service Commission of South Carolina, the utility announced March 26.
Following the approval, Duke Energy expects to begin construction by summer 2027. The 1,365 megawatt (MW) combined cycle generation plant will be built on a 200-acre site located on S.C. Highway 81 South near True Temper Road in Anderson County.
The plant will be Duke Energy’s first new generation facility in a decade and is expected to be operational by 2031.
According to the utility, the facility will be one of the most efficient natural gas plants on Duke Energy’s system and will include state-of-the-art environmental control technologies to minimize plant emissions.
Of the new plant’s nominal generation capacity, Central Electric Power Cooperative will own 95 MW and North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation will own 100 MW of that total capacity.
The projected cost for the project is $3.2 billion and the additional generation capacity is expected to help meet the energy needs of one of the fastest growing regions in the country. Duke Energy Carolinas serves about 2.4 million customers in both Carolinas.
The multi-year construction phase is expected to create more than 700 construction jobs in Anderson County. Once operational, the facility will support 125 jobs generating about $10 million annually in wages and have a statewide economic impact of about $85 million, according to Duke.
Related: Behind the brand: Tim Pearson, Duke Energy South Carolina president
Anderson County combined cycle natural gas generation by the numbers:
- 1,365 MW nominal generation capacity
- $3.2 billion projected cost
- Construction to begin summer 2027 and be complete by 2031
