Duke Energy Withdraws Expansion Plans for Bad Creek Hydropower Facility Amid Energy Demand Concerns
Duke Energy has withdrawn its plans to expand the Bad Creek pumped storage hydropower facility in South Carolina, a decision reflected in its long-term blueprint submitted in October. This unexpected move surprised clean energy advocates, who had anticipated challenges related to other aspects of the plan, including new gas-fired power plants. The expansion, which would have significantly increased the facility's capacity, was initially seen as a step towards enhancing the company's role in carbon-free energy production.
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Duke Energy has abandoned its plan to double the capacity of the Bad Creek pumped storage hydropower facility located in South Carolina. This change was noted in the utility's long-term blueprint filed in October and will be reviewed by regulators in 2025.
The decision surprised clean energy advocates who had anticipated opposition regarding other aspects of the plan, such as new gas-fired power plants. The original expansion would have positioned Duke as a leader in pumped hydro, which is a vital source of carbon-free electricity.
The existing facility, upgraded to nearly 1.7 gigawatts, could have expanded by an additional 1.8 gigawatts, aligning with state carbon reduction mandates. In 2022, the company included this expansion in its pollution reduction pathways, which were approved by the North Carolina Utilities Commission.
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