Santee Cooper 2026 Integrated Resource Plan Balances Economic Growth with Grid Reliability
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 proposed 2026 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) recommends a modern, diverse mix of generation, including natural gas combined cycle units (NGCC), nuclear power, peaking units and battery storage, to support reliability and renewable resource integration.
- The Preferred Plan, reduces system emissions, strengthens reliability and manages long‑term risk, delivering the most cost‑effective path forward while ensuring sufficient capacity to retire older coal units.
MONCKS CORNER, S.C. — The Santee Cooper Board of Directors today reviewed the utility’s proposed 2026 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.
Santee Cooper’s 2026 load forecast reflects unprecedented growth. Compared to last triennial IRP in 2023, the 2026 IRP forecasts winter peak demands to be 1,250 MW higher by the year 2030 and 1,375 MW higher by the year 2040.
“Our proposed resource plan gives Santee Cooper the flexibility to meet fast‑growing demand, support economic development, and adapt to future regulatory changes with confidence,” said Santee Cooper President and CEO Jimmy Staton. “The proposed resources would deliver meaningful reductions in greenhouse gas emissions while adding modern, flexible resources. Together, these investments would position us to reliably and affordably power South Carolina for decades to come. Our customers expect to have power at any time they need it, and the Preferred Plan is the strongest path to that reliability.”
Modern, Diverse, and Highly Dispatchable Resources
The proposed 2026 IRP Preferred Plan includes a mix of dispatchable, efficient and cost-effective resources to serve the utility’s growing statewide system needs. The 2026 IRP includes several additional resources beyond those identified in the 2023 plan:
- Near‑Term Resources for 2027–2032: Approximately 350 MW of firm capacity are needed before the Canadys Joint NGCC comes online. Santee Cooper and Central Electric Power Cooperative will jointly consider specific resources.
- New Natural Gas Combined Cycle (NGCC) Unit for 2035: A new NGCC resource is needed in 2035 to meet continued load growth and support future retirement of coal units.
- Fairfield Nuclear Project: The proposed 2026 IRP incorporates Santee Cooper’s anticipated share of power from restarting construction of two partially completed nuclear units at the former VC Summer site. Once operational, these units will provide the state with reliable, carbon-free energy.
- Pinopolis Reliability Project: The addition of a 300 MW battery energy storage system will deliver flexible, fast‑response capacity.
In addition to integrating modern resources into South Carolina’s grid, Santee Cooper’s Preferred Plan maintains a steadfast commitment to sustainability. Under this plan, greenhouse gas emissions are projected to decline to approximately 43 percent of 2005 levels by 2035, ultimately falling below 40 percent by 2050.
IRP Process
Santee Cooper’s proposed 2026 IRP reflects input by a collaborative public stakeholder process, which includes a Stakeholder Working Group representing customers, government entities, industries, environmental organizations, community advocates, and Central Electric Cooperative. Over 12 Stakeholder Working Group meetings and 4 public meetings, stakeholders provided input on load forecasts, transmission studies and modeling approaches, helping shape a transparent and informed planning process.
More information is available at www.santeecooper.com/IRP, and will be updated as the 2026 IRP proceeds through regulatory review.
For more than 90 years, Santee Cooper has been serving the people of South Carolina. The utility is South Carolina’s largest power provider and the ultimate source of electricity for 2 million people across the state. Through its affordable, reliable and environmentally responsible electricity and water services, and through innovative partnerships and initiatives that attract and retain industry and jobs, Santee Cooper helps power South Carolina. To learn more, visit www.santeecooper.com and follow #PoweringSC on social media.