Santee Cooper is prioritizing opportunities to optimize what we have as we look to expand generation to match South Carolina’s residential and industrial expansion. One example is the planned procurement and installation of two dual-fuel simple-cycle combustion turbines (CTs) at the Winyah Generating Station, strengthening the system’s ability to meet South Carolina’s near-term energy needs.
Each CT will generate between 40 and 60 megawatts of electricity and will have the ability to operate on either natural gas or fuel oil. This dual-fuel capability provides valuable flexibility, allowing Santee Cooper to diversify its fuel portfolio and respond more effectively to changing energy market conditions. By expanding the range of available fuel sources, the project improves energy liquidity and helps ensure reliable generation during periods of peak demand or supply constraints. Additionally, the project provides system benefits that include, but are not limited to, enhanced load following capabilities which aid Santee Cooper’s ability to meet fluctuations in generation and load and balance its system in a reliable manner. The CTs also allow for better integration of non-dispatchable renewable generation.
The turbines will be located on a former ash pond site at Winyah Generating Station, repurposing the site and also benefiting from existing transmission there. This site provides adequate space for these CTs and has room for future expansion. Utilizing a brownfield site at an existing generating station will have minimal, if any, impact on land use, cultural resources, or existing ecology, vegetation, and wildlife. In addition, natural gas infrastructure exists on site, making the connection of the proposed facilities to that existing natural gas infrastructure a brownfield project, further minimizing the environmental impact. Finally, this project will be able to utilize portions of the existing infrastructure for water intake and wastewater discharges.
Designed as simple-cycle units, the CTs can start quickly and provide power when it is needed most. Santee Cooper expects the units to be operational in time for the 2027–2028 winter season, helping address projected generation needs as the region continues to grow.
This project reflects Santee Cooper’s balanced approach to modernization: investing in expanding grid flexibility and strengthening system reliability while continuing to uphold the operational excellence that has long been central to serving its customers and communities.