Duke Energy Aims for 50-Year Extension at Bad Creek to Fuel Carolinas Growth

For over three decades, Duke Energy’s pumped storage hydro station in South Carolina has been a linchpin, acting as the largest energy storage asset on the company’s grid.
The move underscores South Carolina’s commitment to managing growth by maintaining reliable, proven power generation capacity within the state.

GREENVILLE, S.C., Aug. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) is doubling down on its commitment to South Carolina’s energy future. The utility giant has filed its final license application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to extend the operational life of its Bad Creek Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Station near Salem, S.C., for another 50 years. The application, available for review here, signals Duke’s confidence in the plant’s continued relevance as the region grapples with unprecedented growth.

Pumped storage hydro represents a dynamic and efficient way to store and dispatch large amounts of emissions-free energy. By moving water between reservoirs at different elevations, these plants effectively act as giant batteries. Located in Oconee County, S.C., Duke Energy’s Bad Creek facility has been a pivotal player in the region’s energy landscape since 1991, providing a crucial source of power during periods of peak demand.

The Bottom Line: Duke Energy, responsible for serving nearly 860,000 retail electric customers across South Carolina, faces the challenge of balancing load growth with maintaining affordability and reliability. Extending the life of assets like Bad Creek, alongside investments in new generation sources and the company’s existing nuclear fleet, is crucial to supporting the state’s economic dynamism and managing energy costs.

Notably, Duke Energy recently completed upgrades to the four generating units at the Bad Creek facility, increasing its total capacity to 1,680 megawatts – a gain of 320 MW of carbon-free energy. More details on these upgrades can be found here.

The relicensing effort at Bad Creek underscores Duke Energy’s commitment to maintaining and enhancing its generation assets to meet the evolving needs of a growing customer base.

What’s Next: With the current operating license set to expire in July 2027, Duke Energy has engaged with over 70 stakeholders to develop a proposal for a new 50-year license. The company expects a decision from FERC in 2027.

Duke Energy anticipates a decision from FERC regarding the operating license application in 2027, before the current license expires.

Want to see Bad Creek in action? Downloadable b-roll is available (courtesy credit: “Duke Energy”).

Industry Reaction:

U.S. Rep. Sheri Biggs: “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.”
Duke Energy South Carolina President Tim Pearson: “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
Duke Energy Carolinas, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, boasts 20,800 megawatts of generating capacity, serving 2.9 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 24,000-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 the largest energy holding companies in the U.S. The company’s electric utilities serve 8.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, with a collective generating capacity of 55,100 megawatts. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky.

Duke Energy is currently executing an ambitious energy transition, focused on customer reliability and value while building a smarter energy future. The company is investing heavily in electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables, and energy storage.

For more information, visit duke-energy.com and the Duke Energy News Center. Stay connected with Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and explore insights and innovations on the illumination platform.

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