Duke Energy proposes milestone new natural gas plant to help build a stronger energy future for South Carolina

• Site would take advantage of existing infrastructure and more than a century of partnership with Anderson County
• Proposal will be first request by company to build new generation in the Palmetto State in a decade

• Plans support intent by state leaders to address growth and economic success by advancing new electricity capacity in the state

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

• 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.”
  
• 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.”
  
• 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.”
  
• 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.”
  
• 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.” 

Duke Energy

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. The company’s electric utilities serve 8.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 55,100 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky.

Duke Energy is executing an ambitious energy transition, keeping customer reliability and value at the forefront as it builds a smarter energy future. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables and energy storage.

More information is available at duke-energy.com and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and visit illumination for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition.