Duke Energy has submitted a final license application to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) seeking to extend operations at its Bad Creek Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Station in Oconee County, South Carolina, for another 50 years. The current operating license is set to expire in July 2027. A decision from FERC is expected before that date.
The Bad Creek facility, which has been in operation since 1991, functions as the largest energy storage system on Duke Energy’s network by moving water between two reservoirs at different elevations. This process allows the plant to store and generate large amounts of electricity when demand is high.
Recently, Duke Energy completed upgrades at Bad Creek that increased its total capacity by 320 megawatts, bringing it up to 1,680 megawatts of carbon-free energy. The company says these improvements are part of ongoing investments aimed at supporting economic growth and meeting the needs of nearly 860,000 retail electric customers across South Carolina.
The effort aligns with state leaders’ goals to address rapid growth by maintaining proven sources of electricity generation. Over 70 stakeholders were consulted during the preparation of the new license proposal.
U.S. Rep. Sheri Biggs stated: “Bad Creek is a cornerstone of South Carolina’s energy infrastructure and a testament to the kind of smart, long-term investment our state needs. I’m proud to support Duke Energy’s efforts to extend operations at this critical facility. This project will help power our communities, support economic growth, and ensure a reliable, affordable energy future for families and businesses across the Upstate.”
Tim Pearson, president of Duke Energy South Carolina, said: “Extending the life of this ‘marvel in the mountain’ has been a significant part of our planning for the future for many years. Our commitment to keep a proven asset like Bad Creek online for decades to come while also bringing a diverse portfolio of new generating resources to the grid reflects the direction our state’s leaders have made clear is the right path forward to support a reliable, affordable and resilient energy future for South Carolina.”
Duke Energy Carolinas supplies electricity across North Carolina and South Carolina through its subsidiary network covering about 2.9 million customers over a service area spanning 24,000 square miles.
Duke Energy operates as one of America’s largest energy holding companies with headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina. Its electric utilities serve approximately 8.6 million customers across six states and collectively own more than 55 gigawatts (GW) of capacity. The company continues investing in grid upgrades and cleaner generation sources such as natural gas plants, nuclear facilities, renewables like solar or wind power projects, and additional forms of energy storage.
More information can be found on their official website https://www.duke-energy.com/ or via their news center https://news.duke-energy.com/.
