Leaders from 16 southern states are gathering in Greenville this week to address the growing power demands of the region. This meeting follows a report that revealed errors and equipment failures leading to rolling outages by Duke Energy on Christmas Eve 2022, leaving some residents without heat for over 10 hours.
When asked about Duke Energy’s efforts to prevent future outages, Governor Henry McMaster stated that he believes the company is doing everything possible to rectify the situation.
In a recent meeting with the state’s Public Service Commission, Duke Energy representatives discussed the escalating power demand and their plans to meet it. Last year’s outages serve as a stark reminder of the need for preparedness, according to a statement made by a Duke Energy spokesperson.
Congressman Jeff Duncan, who serves on an energy subcommittee, expressed his belief that America should not experience power outages. He highlighted the potential of nuclear power with small modular reactors (SMRs) as a solution. SMRs are smaller and simpler versions of conventional nuclear reactors, offering the advantage of faster and more cost-effective construction. Their size also allows for greater flexibility in choosing suitable locations.
Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette, also present at the conference, emphasized that SMRs, if operated continuously, could potentially reduce blackouts.
Duke Energy has already submitted paperwork to build an SMR in North Carolina, although approval and completion may take up to a decade. Governor McMaster has requested that Duke Energy and other power companies take necessary measures to avoid future outages.
While Duke Energy is currently working on a confidential corrective plan in collaboration with the state, the specific details and progress of the plan are unknown. However, the company has announced that they have completed 76 out of the proposed 101 action items.
Source: WRDW/WAGT 2023.