- Robinson Solar Center will be key next step to transitioning to
cleaner energy economy for the state
- Project builds on long history of powering the economy of the
Pee Dee region
GREENVILLE, S.C., March 22,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy Progress today
requested approval by the Public Service Commission of South Carolina (PSCSC) to build and own a
76-megawatt utility-scale solar power facility adjacent to the
existing Robinson Nuclear Plant site located in both Chesterfield and Darlington counties.
"Making smart investments in South
Carolina's energy future is a priority for Duke Energy – one
that focuses on delivering reliable, affordable service every day
to the customers and communities we serve, and on transitioning to
cleaner energy options and a lower carbon future," said
Mike Callahan, Duke Energy's
South Carolina state president. "The
proposed Robinson Solar Center is part of the thousands of
megawatts of solar that will help us do that."
If approved, construction is expected to begin on the
approximate 345-acre existing site in 2026 with the facility
targeting full operation in 2027. The facility will provide
fuel-free power to meet the growing needs of the Pee Dee region of
South Carolina. For more
information on the project, visit
duke-energy.com/RobinsonSolarCenter.
A diverse energy mix
From population growth to the expansion of manufacturing and
other major economic development wins, South Carolina is booming. According to the
Census Bureau, the Palmetto State had the fastest growing
population in the nation in 2023, largely due to the tremendous
impact of the state's economic prosperity.
Transitioning to cleaner energy sources like solar, while also
meeting growing energy needs, requires a diverse mix of resources
like the Robinson Solar Center to ensure continued and future
reliability.
"We are using an 'all-of-the-above' approach that incorporates
renewables like solar, next-generation and existing nuclear,
natural gas and hydroelectric sources," Callahan said. "This
diverse mix will help Duke Energy meet customer expectations for
cleaner energy while also reliably powering communities across the
state."
Nuclear remains critical to state's future
For more than 50 years, Robinson Nuclear Plant has played a
critical role in powering communities in the Pee Dee region and
continues to be an essential part of the company's current and
future diverse energy mix.
Nuclear is the only carbon-free generation source that is
available 24/7 in every type of weather. Duke Energy intends to
relicense its entire nuclear fleet (11 reactors at six plant sites
in the Carolinas). We expect to submit Robinson Nuclear Plant's
license renewal application in 2025 to allow it to continue
reliable, clean, cost-competitive operations for our customers for
decades to come.
Duke Energy Progress
Duke Energy Progress, a
subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 12,500 megawatts of energy
capacity, supplying electricity to 1.7 million residential,
commercial and industrial customers across a 29,000-square-mile
service area in North Carolina and
South Carolina.
Duke Energy
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150
company headquartered in Charlotte,
N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies.
Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio
and Kentucky, and collectively own
50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves
1.6 million customers in North
Carolina, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 27,600
people.
Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition
to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural
gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity
generation by 2050. The company has interim carbon emission targets
of at least 50% reduction from electric generation by 2030, 50% for
Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 upstream and downstream emissions by
2035, and 80% from electric generation by 2040. In addition, the
company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy
storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies
such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.
Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2023 "World's Most Admired
Companies" list and Forbes' "World's Best Employers" list. More
information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke
Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos
and videos. Duke Energy's illumination features stories
about people, innovations, community topics and environmental
issues. Follow Duke Energy
on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
Contact: Ryan Mosier
24-Hour: 800.559.3853
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SOURCE Duke Energy