North Carolina OKs Duke Energy plan to add 3.6 GW gas-fired capacity, 7 GW renewables | Utility Dive

Nov 06, 2024

The company also plans to add 1,100 MW of battery storage, 1,834 MW of pumped storage hydropower and is working to place 600 MW of advanced nuclear generation into service by 2035.

The order also approves Duke conducting an advanced request for information, or ARFI, process to “gather information regarding the development of up to 2,400 MW of offshore wind” with the aim to have this generation in commercial operation by 2035.

“Although the Commission missed an opportunity in this order to require Duke to move more quickly on offshore wind, proceedings in 2025 present another chance to get North Carolina back on track to achieving the carbon reduction goals as directed by state law,” said Will Scott, EDF’s Director of Southeast Climate and Clean Energy.

The other approved actions include:

The Southern Environmental Law Center criticized the order in a Monday release, saying that “advocates noted that much more solar, wind, and battery storage can be connected to the grid than Duke says is possible.”

“North Carolina can’t afford the new climate pollution in Duke’s approved plan,” said David Neal, a senior attorney with the SELC. “This outcome will leave our communities holding the bill for more expensive, polluting power plants and underinvest in the clean, reliable resources that must form the backbone of our grid.”

In a Saturday release, Duke said the NCUC’s order was a “constructive outcome” that “confirms the importance of a diverse, ‘all of the above’ approach that is essential for long-term resource planning and helps us meet the energy needs of our region’s growing economy.”

Duke noted that the Public Service Commission of South Carolina continues to deliberate on the company’s resource plan for the Carolinas and will issue an order on or before Nov. 26.

“Following that order, Duke Energy will immediately begin executing the plan while simultaneously developing the modeling required for our 2025 plan update in North Carolina, which must be filed by September 2025,” Duke said.