Dominion SC IRP Keeps Coal, Adds Gas, Delays Solar
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- Dominion Energy South Carolina filed a 2026 Integrated Resource Plan that retains reliance on volatile fracked gas and delays coal retirements, according to Sierra Club analysis.
- Dominion Energy South Carolina's 2026 Reference Build Plan lists retirement years for Wateree and Williams coal plants as 2032 and 2034, but ties Williams' retirement to the construction of the Canadys gas plant and does not commit to retiring either plant if Canadys is built.
- Dominion Energy South Carolina's Optimized Retirements scenario pushes the Williams plant retirement to 2047, while the High Load Build Plan extends Wateree and Williams retirements to 2045 and 2047 respectively.
- Dominion Energy South Carolina's IRP does not set a retirement date for the Cope coal plant, leaving it slated for retirement in 2071.
- Sierra Club staff attorney Sari Amiel notes that Dominion claims compliance with 2020 coal pollution rules but has not evaluated newer stricter updates, implying costly upgrades that would be passed to customers.
- Dominion Energy South Carolina's preferred portfolio includes 2,400 MW of solar capacity, 600 MW of solar‑and‑storage, and 300 MW of standalone storage, but solar generation is not scheduled to come online until 2042.
- Dominion Energy South Carolina's IRP projects renewable generation to comprise 62%‑83% of its forecast energy mix, with at least 56% from solar.
Why it matters: South Carolina ratepayers will shoulder higher bills as Dominion leans on volatile fracked‑gas and keeps aging coal plants operating, while the promised solar build‑out is postponed for more than a decade, limiting near‑term clean‑energy benefits; the Cope plant’s 2071 retirement further extends emissions and likely compliance costs to customers.
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