Massive Energy Plant Near Starr Good News for County
Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
Duke Energy will submit an application to the Public Service Commission of South Carolina for a 1,400-megawatt natural gas combined cycle generating facility with hydrogen capability on nearly 200 acres located on Highway 81 South near True Temper Road close to Starr.
It is the first request by a power company to build new generation in the state in a decade, and it comes after the South Carolina General Assembly passed the South Carolina Energy Security Act.
“Anderson County has a long history of working with Duke Energy, more than 100 years, and we look forward to continuing this partnership for the good of the county and the state of South Carolina,” said Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns.
Duke Energy Carolinas submitted the application to the Public Service March 18, 2024, seeking approval to build and operate the new natural gas plant in addition to the existing Lee Steam Station site in Anderson County.
The company’s plans are to construct the facility on nearly 200 acres located on Highway 81 South near True Temper Road close to Starr. The site is advantageous and would use existing transmission infrastructure nearby to provide about 1,400 megawatts of electricity to support the homes and businesses of a rapidly growing region and state. The innovative design of the facility would also significantly reduce the need for large amounts of water, creating less burden on the county’s infrastructure.
Beginning this week, residents, property owners and businesses near the proposed energy center location will receive additional information on the project to include details on how they can share feedback with the company. Additional details about the proposed project can be found here.
The facility is designed to have a nominal capacity of 1,350 megawatts (MW) and will be capable of using a blend of natural gas and hydrogen, with the potential for higher hydrogen utilization in the future. According to Duke, the project is crucial for meeting the growing energy demands in South Carolina, ensuring reliability, and retiring aging coal-fired generation. The company emphasizes the plant's flexibility and hydrogen readiness as key components of its clean energy transition.
The application to the PSCSC initiates a regulatory review process which involves: public hearings to gather input and comments from stakeholders, environmental groups, local residents, and other interested parties. These hearings allow for public comment on the proposed project; intervention and testimony from various organizations and individuals, presenting expert testimony and evidence for or against the project.
After reviewing all evidence and testimony, the PSCSC will make a decision on whether to approve, deny, or modify Duke Energy's application. Significant decisions on such large infrastructure projects typically take several months to more than a year after the initial application is filed, as the commission evaluates the need, cost-effectiveness, environmental impact, and public interest.
As part of the project planning and permitting process, Duke will conduct detailed environmental studies to assess air quality, water use, noise, traffic and other factors.
If approved by the PSCSC, and the project obtains all necessary approvals and permits, construction could begin in mid-2027 with operations targeted for as early as January 2031
This project could represent significant progress for South Carolina's energy landscape, marking the first major new generation request in the state in a decade and aligning with the state's new energy policy direction under the South Carolina Energy Security Act.
Duke Energy's $700 million 750-megawatt combined-cycle natural gas plant at the W.S. Lee Station in Anderson County began serving customers in 2018. The energy generated from this unit helps power the lives of customers in South Carolina and North Carolina.
The new combined-cycle unit generates more than $5 million in tax revenue annually for Anderson County.
Combined-cycle natural gas units can generate energy more efficiently and release significantly lower emissions than coal-fired units. For example, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and other emissions are expected to drop by 87 percent overall in comparison to the station's previous coal-fired operation. Duke Energy closed two coal-fired units at the W.S. Lee Station in 2014 and converted a third coal unit to natural gas in 2015. The company no longer operates any plants in South Carolina that use coal as fuel.
The W.S. Lee project has benefited more than 150 companies locally, in South Carolina, across the U.S. and around the world.
Since 1951, Duke Energy's W.S. Lee Station has helped power the economic growth in Anderson County and the surrounding communities of Belton, Williamston, Pelzer and West Pelzer.
