Duke Energy boosts capacity with major upgrades at Bad Creek to meet growing energy demands in the Carolinas
In response to the growing electricity demand driven by robust economic development and population growth in the Carolinas, Duke Energy has successfully completed a series of upgrades at its Bad Creek pumped storage facility in Salem, South Carolina. The multiyear project has added a substantial 320 megawatts of carbon-free energy, elevating the facility’s total capacity to an impressive 1,680 megawatts. This strategic enhancement positions Bad Creek as Duke Energy’s largest “battery,” pivotal in supporting the operational needs of the company’s system, especially with the increasing integration of solar energy.
Pioneering Green Energy Solutions
Bad Creek pumped storage technology, a flexible and efficient method for large-scale energy storage and delivery, utilizes two reservoirs at varying elevations to store and generate energy. Since its inception in 1991, Bad Creek has played a critical role in Duke Energy’s portfolio, primarily during peak customer demand periods. The recent upgrades, executed in phases with each of the four units receiving an additional 80 MW capacity, have further solidified its role in enhancing system reliability and operational flexibility.
Future Prospects and Economic Impact
Beyond the upgrades, Duke Energy is actively pursuing an extension of the license for the Bad Creek facility, which is due to expire in 2027. Plans are also underway to potentially add a second powerhouse at the site, aiming to address the increased system variability brought about by solar growth and fluctuating customer usage. If realized, this expansion could be operational as early as 2034 and is projected to bring significant economic benefits, including a $7.3 billion boost to South Carolina by 2033 through construction and infrastructure activities.
Leadership’s Vision for a Sustainable Future
According to Preston Gillespie, Duke Energy’s executive vice president and chief generation officer, the upgrades at Bad Creek are integral to the company’s broader energy transition strategy. “This investment demonstrates our commitment to improving reliability across the Carolinas. Pumped storage technology gives us operational flexibility, allowing us to store energy and then deploy that energy when customer demand is highest,” Gillespie stated. The ongoing developments at Bad Creek are just one of the many initiatives Duke Energy is taking to ensure a reliable, affordable, and diverse energy mix for the Carolinas, providing certainty and support for customers’ daily energy needs.