Western Carolinas
Modernization Project
In the past four decades, customers’ electricity use has more than doubled in and around the
Asheville area. Peak power demand has more than tripled in Duke Energy Progress’ Western
region, which serves 160,000 customers in nine western North Carolina counties. And, demand
is expected to grow by more than 15 percent in the next decade.
In May, we announced a comprehensive, longer-term solution to cost-effectively serve customers.
In November 2015, a revised modernization plan for the region was announced to meet the region’s
power demand that is better fit for the community. The proposal balances public input, environmental
impacts and our need to provide customers with safe, reliable and affordable electricity. Key components
of this $1.1 billion investment are scheduled to be completed by 2020 and include:
•R
etiring coal units at the Asheville Plant and
continuing ongoing coal ash excavation and
ash basin closure operations
•B
uilding two new natural gas-fired combinedcycle units totaling 560 megawatts and solar
generation facilities at the Asheville Plant site
RETIREMENT OF
COAL UNITS
The Asheville Plant has served
the region well since 1964
and will continue to serve
customers until the new natural
gas plant comes on line. Duke
Energy expects to retire the two
coal-fired units, totaling 376
megawatts, by 2020.
March 2016
•L
everaging energy efficiency, demand
side management, renewables and
technology programs and initiatives
to help meet peak demand
•M
odernizing existing transmission and
distribution lines, substations and equipment
NATURAL GAS PLANTS
AND SOLAR GENERATION
The two new natural gas-fired
combined-cycle units will have
a capacity of approximately 560
megawatts, which is enough
electricity to serve nearly
448,000 homes. The units
are scheduled to begin serving
customers in late 2019. Duke
Energy will work with the local
gas distribution company to
upgrade an existing gas pipeline
to accommodate and serve our
proposed combined cycle units
with a firm fuel supply.
After coal ash excavation work
is complete, Duke Energy
plans to add a solar facility
at the Asheville plant site.
The modernization project
will also include engaging
the community with energy
efficiency, demand side
management, renewables
and technology programs
and initiatives to help
manage peak demand.
TRANSMISSION AND
DISTRIBUTION PROJECTS
Duke Energy plans
to meet increased power
demand and ensure
long-term reliability by
expanding and modernizing
existing transmission and
distribution equipment.
Reducing water usage
The new natural gas-fired combined-cycle plants will remove all thermal impacts to Lake Julian.
Investing in our air
With the retirement of the coal plant and the investments in new, highly efficient technologies,
the company expects to reduce annual emissions. Compared to statistics of the Asheville coal
plant in 2014, the revised project is estimated to result in:
45%
reduction of NOx
99%
reduction of SO2
60%
reduction of CO2
per megawatt-hour
Note: The percentages above are conservative and include both phases of the modernization project.
Final percentages will be determined after the company receives environmental permits.
March 2016