Duke Energy has unveiled a revised strategy to meet surging electricity demand in the Carolinas, marking a significant shift in its approach to power generation. The utility’s 2025 Carolinas Resource Plan, filed with state regulators, outlines plans to expand natural gas-fired capacity, delay coal plant retirements, and reevaluate nuclear and renewable energy investments. This shift comes as the utility responds to unprecedented demand growth and changes in state and federal energy policies.
At the heart of Duke Energy’s plan is the addition of approximately 9.7 GW of natural gas-fired generation capacity by 2033. The utility is also exploring the potential for new nuclear reactors, with two sites under evaluation for the addition of more than 1.1 GW of nuclear power generation capacity by 2037. These sites include Belews Creek in North Carolina and Cherokee County in South Carolina. The plan also includes a modest increase in solar power capacity, with at least 7.9 GW expected by 2033, down from the previous target of 8.2 GW by 2031. Notably, the utility has postponed plans for wind energy additions, stating that wind is “not an economically viable resource for customers through 2040.”
Duke Energy’s plan also includes the delay of retirements for three coal-fired plants—Belews Creek, Cliffside, and Marshall—that were previously scheduled to close within the next decade. The utility cited federal actions that eased restrictions on coal generation as a factor in this decision. Additionally, Duke Energy plans to increase its battery energy storage deployments to 7.9 GW by 2033.
The utility’s strategy is driven by the rapid growth in electricity demand across the Carolinas, fueled by economic expansion and new manufacturing facilities. Duke Energy projects that customer energy needs over the next 15 years will grow at eight times the rate of the prior 15 years. This growth is more than double the forecast included in the 2023 Carolinas Resource Plan.
Kendal Bowman, Duke Energy’s North Carolina president, emphasized the utility’s focus on maintaining low energy rates to support the region’s economic success. “By expanding our diverse generation portfolio and maximizing our existing power plants to meet growth needs, we will ensure reliable energy while saving all our customers money,” Bowman stated.
However, the plan has drawn criticism from environmental advocates and state officials. North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein (D) described the plan as a “retreat from the state’s clean energy future,” citing the elimination of wind energy, reduced solar capacity, and delayed nuclear investments. The Sierra Club also expressed disappointment with the delay in coal plant retirements.
Duke Energy officials attributed the changes in their resource plan to recent federal policies that have ended tax credits for renewable energy while incentivizing nuclear energy and energy storage. The utility noted that the plan reflects significant policy changes at both state and federal levels, emphasizing reliability and providing flexibility for existing coal and new natural gas generation.
The North Carolina Utilities Commission will hold hearings on the resource plan next year, with an order expected by Dec. 31, 2026. Duke Energy also plans to file a resource plan update with the Public Service Commission of South Carolina later this year, incorporating information from the 2025 Carolinas Resource Plan.
This shift in Duke Energy’s strategy raises questions about the future of energy generation in the Carolinas and the broader implications for the energy sector. As utilities grapple with increasing demand and evolving policies, the balance between reliability, affordability, and environmental sustainability will continue to shape the energy landscape.