Duke Energy’s Vision for South Carolina’s Energy Future

News Summary

Duke Energy, under the leadership of its new president Tim Pearson, is outlining a comprehensive vision for South Carolina’s energy future. The company aims to enhance reliability, affordability, and community support while investing in resilient infrastructure. Following Hurricane Helene, Duke Energy is utilizing advanced technology to improve outage management, engage with local leaders, and support legislative efforts to ensure sustainable growth in the energy sector. With an “all of the above” energy strategy, the utility seeks to diversify its energy supply and empower customers with smart technology solutions.

South Carolina’s Energy Future: Duke Energy’s Strategic Vision

In South Carolina, Duke Energy is embarking on a comprehensive vision for the state’s energy future, led by Tim Pearson, the newly appointed president of utility operations. Serving approximately 835,500 electric retail customers and 164,000 natural gas customers, Pearson, who assumed the role in November 2024, is tasked with steering the company through its regulatory commitments, government relations, and community impact initiatives.

With an extensive background in government and policy, including experience as chief of staff for former Governor Nikki Haley, Pearson emphasizes reliability and affordability in energy services. He aims to enhance the economic vitality of communities throughout South Carolina while ensuring efficient energy delivery.

Challenges and Resilience

Duke Energy recently faced significant challenges during Hurricane Helene, which left 1.34 million customers without power across the Carolinas. This incident highlighted the critical need for a resilient energy infrastructure as over 99% of Upstate customers experienced outages. In response, Duke Energy is utilizing lessons learned from the crisis to strengthen its grid and improve outage management strategies.

Part of this effort includes leveraging advanced technology. Duke Energy’s self-healing technology has already proven effective, saving over 320,000 total outage hours in 2024. Currently, about one-third of South Carolina customers benefit from this technology, which automatically reroutes power delivery in the event of outages, enhancing customer service and reliability.

Investment in Infrastructure and Community Support

Investments in infrastructure are a primary focus for Duke Energy as it seeks to minimize outages and optimize power restoration processes. The company is also committed to supporting local communities, having provided over $2 million since 2021 through the Duke Energy Foundation to combat hunger and assist in crisis situations.

Duke Energy’s outreach is community-focused, with an active team engaging local leaders on critical issues, such as power restoration and vegetation management. This collaborative approach helps address the needs and concerns of the communities they serve.

Legislative Support and Energy Strategy

Current legislative efforts, exemplified by House Bill 3309, align with Duke Energy’s commitment to facilitating South Carolina’s future economic growth. The company expresses strong support for this legislation, demonstrating its proactive stance toward sustainable development in the energy sector.

The utility employs an “all of the above” energy strategy that incorporates a diverse mix of energy resources. This includes hydrogen-capable natural gas, renewable energy options, and advanced nuclear technologies aimed at diversifying energy supply and ensuring long-term sustainability.

Customer Engagement and Smart Technology

Duke Energy is dedicated to providing customers with options to manage their energy usage efficiently. Various programs utilizing smart devices and demand-response systems offer financial incentives for customers to reduce energy consumption, particularly during peak demand periods. This initiative not only assists customers in managing their bills but also contributes to overall grid stability.

In its ongoing resource planning efforts, Duke Energy is actively evaluating potential sites for new energy generation options throughout South Carolina, including in the Upstate region. This forward-thinking approach looks to accommodate growth in energy demand while maintaining a commitment to sustainable and reliable service.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• Upstate Business Journal: Q&A with Tim Pearson, Duke Energy South Carolina President
• CSR Wire: Duke Energy Offers $150,000 Grant Funding Opportunity
• WBTV: Snake Causes Power Outage Affecting 10K Duke Energy Customers
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Energy in South Carolina
• Duke Energy News: Preparing for Record Load Growth
• Google News: Duke Energy South Carolina