Duke Energy Plans 18.5 GW Solar Buildout in Carolinas Through 2041

Duke Energy Plans 18.5 GW Solar Buildout in Carolinas Through 2041

Duke Energy filed a long-range resource plan with South Carolina regulators calling for 18.5 GW of new solar, 14 GW of gas generation and 13 GW of energy storage over the next 15 years, Utility Dive reports.

Market Impact

The plan, filed Aug. 17, 2026, with the Public Service Commission of South Carolina, reflects surging demand across Duke’s North Carolina and South Carolina territory, which the utility says ranks among the fastest-growing in the nation. Duke’s base forecast projects winter peak demand to climb by more than 10 GW, a cumulative increase of roughly 30%.

The recommended portfolio also includes about 4.5 GW of new nuclear capacity and efforts to extend existing nuclear licenses to 80 years of operation. Duke has already secured subsequent renewed operating licenses for two of its six nuclear sites, covering four of the fleet’s 11 units, both located in South Carolina.

Gas additions are split between 8.2 GW of combined cycle units and 5.8 GW of combustion turbines, with Duke calling gas a “major near-term reliability resource.” The utility has already won approval for a 1.4 GW combined cycle plant in Anderson County, South Carolina, and signed turbine supply agreements with GE Vernova. On the solar and storage side, Duke says procurement and construction are active, including completed projects, facilities under construction, and open RFPs, plus a separate RFP for 400 MW of standalone battery storage in South Carolina. The South Carolina PSC is expected to hold a hearing on the plan in April, with an order due by June.

What It Means for Subcontractors

• Solar EPC, civil, and electrical contractors should track Duke’s ongoing and upcoming RFPs for solar and solar-plus-storage projects in the Carolinas, since the 18.5 GW target spans completed, under-construction, and pipeline work through 2041.
• Battery storage installers and interconnection specialists have a near-term opening: Duke’s 400 MW standalone storage RFP in South Carolina is active now, alongside broader plans for 13 GW of storage capacity.
• Mechanical and E&I contractors tied to gas generation should watch the Anderson County, South Carolina combined cycle project, already approved with GE Vernova turbine agreements in place, as an early indicator of gas construction awards under the 14 GW target.
• Nuclear-adjacent trades, including maintenance and license-renewal support contractors, should note Duke’s push to extend six nuclear sites to 80-year operation, with two sites in South Carolina already approved.
• Firms bidding on Carolinas utility work should mark the South Carolina PSC’s expected April hearing and June order date, since commission approval will shape which portfolio elements move to procurement first.