Duke Energy has submitted a final license application to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) seeking approval to continue operating its Bad Creek Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Station in Oconee County, South Carolina, for another 50 years. The current license for the facility is set to expire in July 2027.
The Bad Creek station, which has been in operation since 1991, serves as the largest energy storage facility on Duke Energy’s system. The plant uses pumped storage hydro technology, moving water between two reservoirs at different elevations to store and generate electricity based on demand. This method allows for flexible and emission-free delivery of large amounts of energy.
Duke Energy recently completed upgrades at the Bad Creek site, increasing its total capacity by 320 megawatts to reach 1,680 megawatts. These enhancements add more carbon-free energy to the company’s portfolio.
The company says that extending operations at Bad Creek is part of its broader strategy to support South Carolina’s economic growth and meet the needs of nearly 860,000 retail electric customers in the state. Duke Energy consulted with over 70 stakeholders before submitting its proposal for a new license term.
A decision from FERC on the license extension is expected by 2027.
U.S. Rep. Sheri Biggs commented: “Bad Creek is a cornerstone of South 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.”
Tim Pearson, president of Duke Energy South Carolina, said: “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 supplies electricity across North Carolina and South Carolina through 20,800 megawatts of capacity serving about 2.9 million customers within a service area covering 24,000 square miles.
Parent company Duke Energy operates electric utilities serving approximately 8.6 million customers across six states and owns more than 55 gigawatts of generation capacity nationwide. The company continues investing in grid modernization and cleaner forms of generation including natural gas, nuclear power, renewables and battery storage technologies.
Further information can be found at duke-energy.com or through their official social media channels.
