The Public Service Commission of South Carolina voted Thursday to approve an application by Dominion Energy and Santee Cooper to jointly construct Canadys Station.
The proposed natural gas combined-cycle generating facility in Colleton County, S.C., is needed to serve South Carolina’s rising demand for energy.
The proposed plant will provide approximately 2,200 megawatts of electricity with advanced, proven technology and state-of-the-art environmental protections.
“While Canadys Station will help meet the state’s growing energy demand, its benefits will extend beyond powering homes and businesses,” said Jimmy Staton, President and CEO of Santee Cooper. “Canadys Station is good for the community, respectful of the environment and an excellent value for customers. We appreciate the time and effort the Commissioners spent understanding our plans for this critical energy project, considering the perspectives of interested stakeholders, and making a timely decision.”
The combined-cycle facility will be constructed at a former Dominion Energy coal plant site approximately 40 miles northwest of Charleston. The established brownfield site will eliminate the need to acquire and clear large swaths of new land.
Strategically positioned at the energy crossroads of the Lowcountry, the site has efficient and cost-effective access to existing and planned transmission lines.
“For 50 years, the former Canadys generating station provided reliable energy across the South Carolina Lowcountry while providing economic benefits in partnership with Colleton County,” said Keller Kissam, president of Dominion Energy South Carolina. “With its ruling today, the Public Service Commission authorizes Santee Cooper and Dominion Energy to sensibly repurpose this existing site with state-of-the-art technology to power future generations of the Palmetto State.”
"Providing a long-lasting economic boost to the local community, hundreds of contracting jobs will be created during construction, and many full-time jobs will be created to operate the plant," Santee Cooper noted.
Dominion Energy and Santee Cooper continue to partner on additional regulatory approvals necessary for the project.
