Duke Energy proposes milestone new natural gas plant to help bui

• Duke Energy (DUK, Financial) plans a new 1,400-megawatt natural gas plant in Anderson County, set to serve nearly 860,000 customers across 30 South Carolina counties.
• Construction is expected to begin in 2027, with operations starting by early 2031.
• The facility’s design aims to reduce water consumption and utilize existing transmission infrastructure.

Duke Energy (DUK) has announced its intention to submit an application to the Public Service Commission of South Carolina for building a new 1,400-megawatt natural gas power plant in Anderson County. The plant will be constructed on a 200-acre site along Highway 81 South and aims to cater to the energy needs of approximately 860,000 retail electric customers across 30 counties in the state.

The project will utilize GE Vernova’s natural gas turbines, manufactured in Greenville, South Carolina. The construction commencement is scheduled for summer 2027, and the plant is expected to be operational by early 2031. This initiative is a part of Duke Energy’s strategy to address growing electricity demand due to economic and population growth in South Carolina.

The innovative design of the facility will significantly reduce water consumption and will leverage existing transmission infrastructure, which helps in lowering development costs and environmental impact. This project aligns with the Carolinas Resource Plan and the S.C. Energy Security Act, supporting the state’s economic development and energy security goals.

Strong political support backs the project, with endorsements from South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, House Speaker Murrell Smith, and Senate President Thomas Alexander, highlighting its alignment with state energy policies.