CHARLOTTE – Duke Energy owns and operates three of the top 10 most efficient coal-fired stations in the country – more than any other utility, according to data provided by the U.S. Energy Information Agency and compiled by Energy Venture Analysis.
All three are in North Carolina.
Of the 373 coal-fired stations surveyed in the United States, Belews Creek Steam Station in Stokes County finished fifth; Cliffside Station in Cleveland and Rutherford counties, sixth; and Marshall Station in Catawba County, ninth.
Cliffside’s Unit 6, the company’s newest coal unit with high efficiency, state-of-the-art technology, began operating in 2013. The efficiency list is based on 2013 data, the latest information available.
Rankings are based on heat rate, which is the amount of fuel required to generate a kilowatt of electricity. Just like a fuel-efficient automobile, a coal plant with a low heat rate saves customers money.
“We depend upon our diverse generation mix to carry the load in providing reliable and efficient power our customers need during these cold winter days, and these plants are doing it more efficiently and economically than nearly every other coal plant in the country,” said Paul Newton, Duke Energy president – North Carolina.
Over the past decade, Duke Energy has invested $7.5 billion in environmental control equipment at its coal units. This advanced technology allows the Duke Energy coal fleet to comply with more stringent air, water and waste rules.
About Duke Energy
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a Fortune 250 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com.