Duke Energy seeks to extend operations for another 50 years at Bad Creek, supporting unprecedented growth in the Carolinas
Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) has submitted a final license application to FERC to extend operations at its Bad Creek Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Station for an additional 50 years. The facility, located in Salem, S.C., recently underwent upgrades that increased its total capacity by 320 megawatts to 1,680 megawatts.
The current license expires in July 2027, and Duke Energy has consulted with over 70 stakeholders for the new license proposal. The Bad Creek facility, operating since 1991, serves as the company's largest "battery" system, supporting nearly 860,000 retail electric customers across South Carolina through its pumped storage hydro technology, which moves water between two reservoirs at different elevations to store and generate energy.
Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) ha presentato a FERC una domanda di licenza definitiva per prolungare l'esercizio della centrale idroelettrica a pompaggio Bad Creek per altri 50 anni. L'impianto, situato a Salem, S.C., è stato recentemente aggiornato, portando la capacità totale da 1.360 a 1.680 megawatt (aumento di 320 megawatt).
La licenza attuale scade nel luglio 2027 e Duke Energy ha consultato più di 70 portatori di interesse in vista della nuova proposta. Operativa dal 1991, la struttura Bad Creek è il più grande «sistema batteria» dell'azienda e, grazie alla tecnologia di pompaggio che trasferisce acqua tra due bacini a quote diverse per immagazzinare e produrre energia, supporta quasi 860.000 clienti retail in Carolina del Sud.
Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) presentó ante la FERC una solicitud final de licencia para prolongar por otros 50 años la operación de la estación hidroeléctrica por bombeo Bad Creek. La instalación, ubicada en Salem, S.C., se sometió recientemente a mejoras que aumentaron su capacidad total en 320 megavatios hasta 1.680 megavatios.
La licencia vigente vence en julio de 2027 y Duke Energy ha dialogado con más de 70 partes interesadas para esta nueva propuesta. En funcionamiento desde 1991, Bad Creek es el mayor «sistema batería» de la compañía y, mediante su tecnología de bombeo que mueve agua entre dos embalses a distinta cota para almacenar y generar energía, da servicio a cerca de 860.000 clientes minoristas en Carolina del Sur.
Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK)는 Bad Creek 양수식 수력발전소의 운영 기간을 추가 50년 연장하기 위해 FERC에 최종 허가 신청서를 제출했습니다. 사우스캐롤라이나주 Salem에 위치한 이 시설은 최근 설비 개편을 통해 총 발전 용량을 320메가와트 증가시켜 1,680메가와트로 확장했습니다.
현재 허가는 2027년 7월 만료되며, Duke Energy는 새 허가안 마련을 위해 70곳이 넘는 이해관계자와 협의했습니다. 1991년부터 가동된 Bad Creek는 회사의 최대 ‘배터리’ 시스템으로, 서로 다른 고도에 있는 두 저수지 사이로 물을 이동시켜 에너지를 저장하고 생산하는 양수식 기술로 사우스캐롤라이나의 약 860,000명의 소매 전기 고객을 지원합니다.
Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) a déposé auprès de la FERC une demande de licence finale pour prolonger de 50 ans l'exploitation de la centrale hydroélectrique en mode pompage Bad Creek. L'installation, située à Salem, en Caroline du Sud, a récemment été modernisée, augmentant sa capacité totale de 320 mégawatts pour atteindre 1 680 mégawatts.
La licence actuelle expire en juillet 2027 et Duke Energy a consulté plus de 70 parties prenantes pour préparer cette nouvelle demande. En service depuis 1991, Bad Creek constitue le plus grand « système batterie » de l'entreprise et, grâce à la technologie de pompage qui transfère l'eau entre deux réservoirs à différentes altitudes pour stocker et produire de l'énergie, dessert près de 860 000 clients résidentiels en Caroline du Sud.
Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) hat bei der FERC einen endgültigen Lizenzantrag eingereicht, um den Betrieb des Bad Creek Pumpspeicherkraftwerks um weitere 50 Jahre zu verlängern. Die Anlage in Salem, South Carolina, wurde kürzlich modernisiert, wodurch die Gesamtkapazität um 320 Megawatt auf 1.680 Megawatt erhöht wurde.
Die aktuelle Lizenz läuft im Juli 2027 aus; für den neuen Antrag hat Duke Energy mehr als 70 Interessengruppen konsultiert. Seit 1991 in Betrieb, ist Bad Creek das größte „Batterie“-System des Unternehmens und unterstützt dank der Pumpspeichertechnik, die Wasser zwischen zwei unterschiedlich hoch gelegenen Reservoirs bewegt, fast 860.000 Privatkunden in South Carolina.
- None.
- Pending regulatory approval from FERC creates uncertainty
- Current license expires in 2027, requiring timely approval
Insights
Duke Energy's 50-year license extension request for Bad Creek's 1,680MW pumped hydro facility strengthens long-term grid reliability amid Carolina's growth.
Duke Energy's application to extend operations at its Bad Creek Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Station for an additional 50 years represents a significant strategic move for the company's long-term infrastructure planning. This facility, functioning as the largest "battery" in Duke's system, provides 1,680 megawatts of capacity following recent upgrades that added 320 megawatts to the system.
The timing is particularly strategic as the current license expires in July 2027. The extension aligns with South Carolina's growing electricity demands, where Duke serves nearly 860,000 retail electric customers. Pumped hydro storage remains one of the most cost-effective large-scale energy storage solutions available, with significantly longer operational lifespans than chemical battery alternatives.
The investment in extending Bad Creek's operations complements Duke's broader energy transition strategy. Rather than solely focusing on building new generation capacity, maintaining existing proven assets provides stability to the grid while new resources are developed. The emission-free nature of pumped hydro storage also supports Duke's cleaner generation objectives without the intermittency challenges posed by some renewable sources.
The extensive stakeholder consultation process (involving over 70 stakeholders) suggests Duke has taken necessary steps to address potential regulatory and community concerns, increasing the likelihood of FERC approval. This project exemplifies the type of long-duration energy storage that will become increasingly valuable as more variable renewable generation enters the grid in coming decades.
- For more than three decades, the pumped storage hydro station in
South Carolina has performed a vital role as the largest "battery" on the company's system - Effort supports the intent of
South Carolina leaders to address growth by continuing to operate proven electricity capacity in the state
A flexible, dynamic, efficient and emission-free way to store and deliver large quantities of energy, pumped storage hydro plants store and generate energy by moving water between two reservoirs at different elevations. Located in
Why it matters: As part of the company's responsibility to serve nearly 860,000 retail electric customers across
Duke Energy recently completed upgrades to the four units at the Bad Creek pumped storage facility in
- This commitment to relicense the Bad Creek facility reflects the investments the company is making to maintain and enhance our generating fleet and serve a growing customer base.
Next steps: The current operating license for the project expires in July 2027 and Duke Energy consulted with more than 70 stakeholders to propose a new license that would run for another 50 years.
- Duke Energy expects a decision on our operating license application from FERC in 2027, before the original license expires.
More info: Downloadable b-roll of Bad Creek is available for use. Please courtesy credit: "Duke Energy".
What they're saying:
U.S. Rep. Sheri Biggs: "Bad Creek is a cornerstone ofSouth 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."- Duke Energy South Carolina President Tim Pearson: "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
Duke Energy Carolinas, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 20,800 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 2.9 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 24,000-square-mile service area in
Duke Energy
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in
Duke Energy is executing an ambitious energy transition, keeping customer reliability and value at the forefront as it builds a smarter energy future. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables and energy storage.
More information is available at duke-energy.com and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and visit illumination for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition.
24-Hour: 800.559.3853
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/duke-energy-seeks-to-extend-operations-for-another-50-years-at-bad-creek-supporting-unprecedented-growth-in-the-carolinas-302531261.html
SOURCE Duke Energy
FAQ
What is Duke Energy's Bad Creek Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Station's current capacity?
How long is Duke Energy (DUK) seeking to extend Bad Creek's operations?
When does Duke Energy's current Bad Creek facility license expire?
How many customers does Duke Energy serve in South Carolina?
How does Duke Energy's Bad Creek pumped storage facility work?
