Santee Cooper Approved New Resource Plan

The South Carolina utility plans to build a new natural-gas plant to meet rising energy demands across the state.

Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Utilities

Bold flat-color editorial illustration in navy, cream, and red, depicting the geometric forms of a power-generation plant as an infrastructure metaphor. — Santee Cooper received board approval for a $5 billion integrated resource plan, centered on constructing a new natural-gas plant in Colleton County to secure energy reliability. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should local utilities invest in new large-scale power plants to ensure future energy reliability?

The Santee Cooper board of directors approved a 2026 integrated resource plan to address growing power needs. The proposal includes building a new natural-gas plant to replace the aging Winyah Generating Station.

Why it matters

The plan aims to secure long-term reliability for the 2 million residents served by the utility as summer peak demand days have significantly increased. Santee Cooper intends to manage this growth while targeting a reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions.

The utility serves 2 million residents and faces a projected 23 percent surge in demand by 2040. Current capacity ranges from 5,163 to 5,388 megawatts, falling short of the 7,246-megawatt projection.

The players

Santee Cooper

This is South Carolina's state-owned electric and water utility that provides power to roughly 2 million residents.

S.C. Public Service Commission

This regulatory agency oversees public utilities in South Carolina and must review the proposed resource plan.

The details

The utility plans to invest $5 billion into an 870-megawatt natural-gas plant located in Colleton County. This facility will succeed the 51-year-old Winyah Generating Station, while the company also pursues interim upgrades at other existing sites.

Summer 2026: The region experienced 24 days requiring over 5,000 megawatts of power.
September 29, 2026: The Santee Cooper board voted to submit the resource plan.
September 30, 2026: The submission deadline for the utility resource plan.
May 2027: A Public Service Commission hearing is scheduled regarding the plan.
2035: The utility plans to complete construction of the new natural-gas plant.

Inflation
Sept. 28
South Carolina Gas Prices Reached $4.10
People
Sept. 26
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Political Parties
Sept. 28
Jermaine Johnson Will Run for South Carolina Governor

Market Landscape

The approval of the 2026 integrated resource plan signals a shift in the regional utility sector toward balancing grid reliability with long-term carbon reduction targets. This move positions Santee Cooper to manage the infrastructure transition away from coal-fired generation.

Customers served by the utility should monitor the upcoming regulatory process for potential long-term rate impacts associated with the $5 billion investment. The shift to natural gas is intended to ensure service reliability during high-demand summer months.

The takeaway

Reliable power delivery for South Carolina is increasingly dependent on aging infrastructure replacement and significant capital investment. Residents can expect continued shifts in how the state generates electricity as utilities strive to meet peak demand while lowering emissions.