Duke Energy has received approval from the N.C. Utilities Commission to construct the 620-megawatt, combined-cycle, natural gas unit at the Buck site in Rowan County, a company spokesperson said today.
Duke Energy says the new Buck Steam Station plant would employ state-of-the-art technology to minimize plant emissions. Its cooling towers also would minimize the impact on the Yadkin River, the company said.
As part of the new gas-fired plant, the station would retire two older, less-efficient coal units at the site.
The initial construction workforce is estimated to be 50 people on the site and would increase to almost 500 during the peak building period.