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Duke Energy has inaugurated a 50-megawatt (MW) battery energy storage system at its former Allen coal plant in North Carolina, a project costing approximately $100 million. The system began serving customers in November 2025 and is currently in final testing.

A second, larger 167-MW battery project is set to commence construction in May 2026. Both systems qualify for federal investment tax credits covering around 40% of their costs, aimed at reducing expenses for customers.

This initiative is part of Duke Energy's broader 2025 Carolinas Resource Plan, which anticipates adding 6,550 MW of battery storage by 2035, sufficient to power over 5 million homes during peak usage. Additionally, a 115-MW battery project is planned for the former Riverbend coal plant site, with construction expected to start in late 2026. A third battery system proposal at Allen is under review, potentially operational by late 2028.