Duke retires four coal plants, builds two gas plants

subscribe

State regulators approved Duke Energy Corp. plans to build two new natural gas plants - operations the utility says it needs to meet growing power demand in the Carolinas.

The plants, which could produce a combined 1,240 megawatts, would be located at the Dan River coal-fired plant in Rockingham and the Buck coal-fired site in Rowan County.

Duke would retire four aging coal-fired units, two at each site, after the new gas units are up-and-running, according to the ruling today from the N.C. Utilities Commission. Duke currently uses coal and nuclear to meet about 98 percent of its power needs in the Carolinas.

With approval for new nuclear plants in doubt and the widespread unpopularity of new coal-fired projects, the Charlotte-based utility has turned to natural gas to help it meet intermediate demand.

Duke says natural gas adds more diversity to its fleet and that it would need the plants regardless of nuclear and coal options. The once-popular option has fallen into its own disfavor because of its unpredictable price, which can spike because of hurricanes and other supply issues.

Duke says the plants would serve a specific need. But the plants can be built in just a few years, compared to decade or longer for other plants. They are also cheaper to build and emit far less carbon dioxide than coal-fired plants.

The gas is blamed as a cause of global warming.

Related News

paris-finalises-energy-roadmap-for-2025-2035-with-imminent-decree

Paris Finalises Energy Roadmap for 2025–2035 with Imminent Decree

PARIS - Paris is on the verge of finalising its energy roadmap for the period 2025–2035, with an imminent decree expected to be published by the end of the first quarter of 2025. This roadmap is part of France's broader strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

Key Objectives of the Roadmap

The energy roadmap outlines ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions across various sectors, including transport, housing, food, and energy. The primary goals are:

  • Reducing Fossil Fuel Dependency: The share of fossil fuels in final energy consumption is to fall from 60% in 2022 to 42%…

    READ MORE
Kevin O'Neill

Jolting the brain's circuits with electricity is moving from radical to almost mainstream therapy

READ MORE

powerlines

Kyiv warns of 'difficult' winter after deadly strikes

READ MORE

New Program Set to Fight for 'Electricity Future That Works for People and the Planet'

READ MORE

IESO

Key Ontario power system staff may end up locked down at work sites due to COVID-19, operator says

READ MORE