2026 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP)
On Sept. 29, 2026, the Santee Cooper Board of Directors reviewed the proposed 2026 Triennial Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), which outlines a diversified, forward-looking roadmap to meet unprecedented growth in electricity demand across the state. The Board approved submitting the proposed IRP to the S.C. Public Service Commission on Sept. 30 for the Commission’s review.
A Message from Our President and CEO
2026 IRP Key Takeaways
- South Carolina’s energy demand continues to grow, and Santee Cooper must add significant new resources. Santee Cooper projects 1,250 MW of higher demand by 2030 as compared to the 2023 IRP projections.
- Santee Cooper’s 2026 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) recommends a modern, diverse mix of generation, including natural gas combined cycle (NGCC), nuclear, peaking units, and battery storage to support reliability and renewable integration.
- Under the Preferred Plan, greenhouse gas emissions are projected to decline to approximately 43 percent of 2005 levels by 2035 and fall below 40 percent by 2050.
Previous 2023 Triennial IRP and Subsequent Updates
- 2023 Triennial IRP: Santee Cooper’s 2023 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) was submitted to the Public Service Commission in May 2023 and approved by the PSC in February 2024.
- 2024 IRP Update: On Sept. 16, 2024, Santee Cooper filed its IRP 2024 Update, which includes updated assumptions and describes impacts of those assumptions on the preferred portfolio from the 2023 IRP.
- 2025 IRP Update: On Sept. 16, 2025, Santee Cooper filed its IRP 2025 Update, which includes updated assumptions and describes impacts of those assumptions on the preferred portfolio from the 2023 IRP.
Santee Cooper 2024-2026 IRP Stakeholder Process
Santee Cooper’s 2024–2026 Integrated Resource Plan was significantly strengthened by a collaborative Stakeholder Working Group representing customers, environmental organizations, and government entities to shape a transparent and informed planning process. During this time, Santee Cooper hosted a total of 25 collaborative sessions that consisted of 12 Stakeholder Working Group meetings, 9 technical meetings, and 4 general notice meetings.
2023 IRP Stakeholder Process
The 2023 IRP reflects input by customers and other stakeholders gathered during five public meetings, held from March 2022 to April 2023, and hundreds of comments and questions offered throughout the public input process.