Duke Energy’s Shearon Harris nuclear plant in Wake County (Photo: Lisa Sorg via Southwings flight)
Duke Energy proposes to build a new natural gas plant in Person County and three small modular nuclear reactors in Stokes County over the next 10 years, projects the company says are necessary to meet “unprecedented” energy demand while reducing carbon emissions as legally required.
In filings with the state Utilities Commission yesterday, Duke estimated that construction costs for these projects would hike average monthly energy bills for Duke Energy Progress residential customers by 39% over previous estimates in 2033; Duke Energy Carolinas customers would pay 73% more per month.
Figures are based on households using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per month. For example, a Duke Energy Carolinas customer that was forecast to pay $30 per month in 2033, would be charged $52 under the amended plan.
Duke proposes to add more solar and wind power, but it also would delay the retirement of two coal-fired power plants in Gaston County by nine months, to December of this year, according to the documents.