Regulators approved the company’s request for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) to add two 620MW combined-cycle, natural gas-fired units at two existing facilities at Buck steam station in Rowan County and Dan River steam station in Rockingham County.
The company will be ready to begin construction at the Buck facility once it receives the necessary air permit from North Carolina. Construction at Dan River is expected to follow. The new Buck unit will be in operation in the summer of 2010. The plan also includes retiring two older, less efficient coal units at each facility.
Ellen Ruff, president of Duke Energy Carolinas, said: Customers trust that Duke Energy will meet their needs, supplying the power they rely on in a way that is both affordable and clean. These projects are part of our long-term plan to continue delivering on the promises we have made to customers while modernizing our fleet.