US utility Duke Energy is set to apply to build a 1.4GW natural gas plant to serve its growing data center and manufacturing sectors.

The utility announced its intention to submit an application to the Public Service Commission of South Carolina (PSCSC) for approval for the plant in Anderson County, South Carolina.

The project will utilize natural gas turbines that it recently purchased from GE Vernova. The April agreement saw the utility procure 11 GE Vernova’s 7HA gas turbines, adding to the eight that the company secured earlier this year.

Duke expects to submit the construction application later this year and, if approved, aims to commence construction on the plant in summer 2027. Operations at the plant are slated to begin in early 2031.

“By enacting the S.C. Energy Security Act, Gov. McMaster and the Legislature have provided a comprehensive path forward for energy policy that will guide our state’s continued success for many years to come. Committing to building this modern energy facility in Anderson County is a critical piece of that strong energy future for the region,” said Tim Pearson, South Carolina president, Duke Energy.

If approved, the plant will be constructed on 200 acres of land located on Highway 81 South near True Temper Road in Anderson County. According to the company, the site has several advantages and will utilize existing transmission infrastructure to supply up to 1.4GW of power to residents and businesses in the local area. Additionally, the company claims that the plant will feature an innovative design, reducing the need for excess water.

Duke has said it will provide multiple opportunities for stakeholders to obtain information, ask questions, and share feedback. Community engagement will take the form of open houses, online updates, one-on-one conversations, and events.

Commenting on the announcement, South Carolina Senate President Thomas Alexander said: “I’m grateful to Duke Energy for providing this significant investment to meet the future demands of our citizens and to ensure future economic prosperity. We must ensure South Carolina has the energy capacity to meet the growing needs of our residents and businesses.”

Duke Energy has seen a significant uptick in data centers seeking a grid connection across its footprint. In its Q3 2024 earnings report, the firm reported that it had signed agreements to connect 2GW of new data center capacity across its footprint. Following up from this, in its Q4 earnings report, the company announced a $83 billion five-year spending plan to help meet the soaring demand from data centers.

Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the company serves 8.4 million customers across six US states, including Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, North and South Carolina, and Florida. It also has subsidiaries in Puerto Rico and Argentina.