Duke Energy has received approval from the Public Service Commission of South Carolina to build a $3.2 billion natural gas-fired power plant in Anderson County, marking the utility’s first new generation project in the state in more than a decade.

The planned combined-cycle facility will have a capacity of 1,365 megawatts and is expected to begin construction in summer 2027, with operations targeted for early 2031, according to the company.

The approval follows a formal regulatory review that included public hearings and community engagement. The project will be built on an approximately 200-acre site along S.C. Highway 81 South.

The development is the first major generation project approved under South Carolina’s Energy Security Act, which aims to expand reliable energy capacity as the state experiences rapid population and industrial growth.

“Adding proven new natural gas technology to the electric grid acknowledges the need for a reliable and diverse energy mix,” said Tim Pearson, president of Duke Energy South Carolina, in a statement.

Jobs

Duke Energy expects the project to support more than 2,200 jobs annually during construction, including approximately 746 positions in Anderson County. Once operational, the plant will employ about 125 workers and generate roughly $10 million in annual labor income.

The facility will use advanced emissions control systems and consume significantly less water than traditional cooling technologies, the company said.

Regional cooperatives will share ownership of the plant, with Central Electric Power Cooperative holding 95 MW and North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation holding 100 MW of capacity.

Duke Energy Carolinas, which serves about 2.4 million customers across North and South Carolina, said the project will help meet rising electricity demand and support long-term grid reliability in one of the Southeast’s fastest-growing regions.

Duke Energy’s recent approval of a $3.2 billion gas-fired power plant in South Carolina and Lumentum’s announcement of a new semiconductor manufacturing facility in North Carolina underscore the Carolinas’ emergence as a strategic hub for large-scale industrial investment. The Duke Energy project strengthens regional energy capacity, providing reliable power infrastructure essential for high-tech manufacturing, while Lumentum’s facility represents a major expansion of U.S. semiconductor production, bringing advanced manufacturing jobs to the region. Together, these projects illustrate how coordinated energy and industrial investments are driving economic growth, workforce development, and long-term competitiveness across the Southeast.

Duke Energy new gas power plant in South Carolina: Project Factsheet

Overview

• Type: Natural gas combined-cycle power plant (CCGT)
• Location: Anderson County, South Carolina
• Status: Approved (March 26, 2026)
• Regulator: Public Service Commission of South Carolina

Key Specifications

• Capacity: 1,365 MW
• Site Size: 200 acres (80 hectares)
• Technology: Advanced CCGT with emissions controls
• Water Use: 90% lower than traditional cooling systems

Ownership

• Developer/Operator: Duke Energy
• Participants:
  • Central Electric Power Cooperative — 95 MW
  • North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation — 100 MW

Investment & Timeline

• Estimated Cost: $3.2 billion
• Construction Start: Summer 2027 (expected)
• Operations: Early 2031 (target)

Economic Impact

• Construction: 2,200 jobs annually (746 local)
• Operations: 125 jobs
• Annual Impact: $84–85 million statewide
• Labor Income: $10 million annually

Strategic Role

• Supports rising electricity demand in a high-growth region
• Adds dispatchable capacity to complement renewables and nuclear
• Enhances reliability for Duke Energy Carolinas (2.4 million customers)