Duke Energy has announced a proposal to build a new natural gas plant in the Upstate.
The Charlotte-based company said Monday it plans to seek approval from the Public Service Commission to build a 1,400-megawatt plant in Anderson County that Gov. Henry McMaster said will help meet the state's growing energy demands.
Duke Energy's announcement comes on the heels of McMaster's signing of an energy package — the South Carolina Energy Security Act — that in part would require regulators to review project permits faster.
The proposal said the plant would sit on nearly 200 acres off Highway 81 South, near True Temper Road in Anderson. Duke Energy said the project would create 600 construction jobs and add up to 30 full-time openings for plant operations.
The utility serves more than 860,000 electric customers in 30 South Carolina counties.
"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," said Tim Pearson, president of Duke Energy South Carolina. "Committing to building this modern energy facility in Anderson County is a critical piece of that strong energy future for the region.”
The utility plans to submit its application to the Public Service Commission later this year.
If the PSC approves the request, the project will have years to go before it is up and running. The company said construction could start mid-2027, with the plant running as early as 2031.
Duke Energy already runs a natural gas plant in Anderson County, an 810-megawatt site that went online in 2018.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
