Duke Energy opens new natural gas plant in South Carolina, serving 2.5 million
South Carolina gained a new, high-tech natural gas plant earlier this month with the opening of a 750-megawatt Duke Energy facility in Anderson County.
The facility began construction in March 2015 and has since seen $700 million invested into it. In the short term, it created more than 600 temporary construction jobs, but in the long term, its energy prospects will serve as many as 2.5 million regional customers. It uses combined-cycle natural gas units to generate energy more efficiently, at lower emissions than the traditional coal-fired units. In fact, Duke Energy estimates it will cut emissions by 87 percent over its previous operations.
“Investing in a smarter, more efficient energy future through projects like the new W.S. Lee plant is more than just good business – it’s an investment in our state that helps attract jobs and industry and make our economy and communities stronger,” Kodwo Ghartey-Tagoe, Duke Energy state president for South Carolina, said. “This project represents a long-term commitment to South Carolina – a $700 million investment in the station, environment and surrounding communities.”
The new unit is expected to generate around $4.4 million in tax revenue for Anderson County over the next year.
