Duke Energy announced that its 50‑MW, four‑hour battery energy‑storage system at the former Allen coal plant on Lake Wylie is now operational, delivering power to customers since November 2025 after final testing was completed in January 2026. The project cost roughly $100 million and is part of the company’s 2035 goal to install 6,550 MW of storage.
The battery is a key element of Duke’s plan to retire all coal plants by 2035 and to modernize the grid. By repurposing the Allen site, the company leverages existing transmission lines and land, reducing capital costs and accelerating deployment. The 50‑MW unit provides firm capacity during low‑demand periods and supports the integration of intermittent renewables.
The project qualifies for a 40% federal investment tax credit, with an additional 10% credit for reinvestment in an energy community. These incentives lower the effective cost to customers and help Duke maintain its regulated rate‑based revenue model while delivering clean energy.
Duke plans to add a 167‑MW, four‑hour battery at the Allen site in May 2026 and a 115‑MW unit at Riverbend in late 2026, with the latter expected to come online in late 2027. These additions bring the company closer to its 6,550‑MW storage target, designed to support data‑center demand and renewable penetration.
Kendal Bowman, Duke’s North Carolina president, said the project “repurposes existing infrastructure and takes advantage of federal funding to offset costs for customers while supporting rapid growth across the region.” The battery rollout underscores Duke’s focus on scalable, regulated infrastructure that can be deployed quickly to capture new growth opportunities.
The battery deployment signals Duke’s continued commitment to decarbonization and grid reliability, positioning the company to meet the growing demand from data centers and other large‑load customers. By accelerating storage deployment, Duke strengthens its competitive position in the Carolinas and demonstrates its ability to execute large‑scale projects on time and under budget.
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