What about 50 MW / 200 MWh lithium-ion BESS commissioned at former?

50 MW / 200 MWh lithium-ion BESS commissioned at former Allen coal plant, Gaston County NC

What about Project cost approximately $100M; completed under budget and ahead of?

Project cost approximately $100M; completed under budget and ahead of schedule

What about Second 167 MW system under construction; Duke targeting 6,550 MW?

Second 167 MW system under construction; Duke targeting 6,550 MW by 2035 across Carolinas

What about 40% federal tax credit offset including 10% energy community bonus?

40% federal tax credit offset including 10% energy community bonus for coal plant reinvestment

Duke Energy Commissions 50 MW/200 MWh Battery at Old Coal Plant

Energy Storage News On-Site Generation & Microgrids Utility-Scale BESS
Marin Holt
January 14, 2026
0
364
5 minutes read

50 MW / 200 MWh lithium-ion BESS commissioned at former Allen coal plant, Gaston County NC
Project cost approximately $100M; completed under budget and ahead of schedule
Second 167 MW system under construction; Duke targeting 6,550 MW by 2035 across Carolinas
40% federal tax credit offset including 10% energy community bonus for coal plant reinvestment

Duke Energy commissioned a 50 MW / 200 MWh battery storage system at the site of the retired Allen coal plant in Belmont, North Carolina in January 2026, representing a $100 million investment in the former coal community. The project, completed under budget and ahead of schedule, marks a significant step in the company’s transition to cleaner energy resources. The newly operational system comprises 54 units of four-hour duration lithium-ion battery modules. The first battery began operations in November 2025, with final testing concluding in January 2026. This facility is designed to store excess renewable energy generated from the nearby Catawba Nuclear Station, enhancing grid stability and reliability. This 50 MW system is the first of several planned battery storage projects for Duke Energy in the region. A second, larger battery energy storage system (BESS) totaling 167 MW with a four-hour duration is slated for construction beginning in May 2026. Duke Energy has also proposed a third BESS by the end of 2028, as part of its ambitious plan to deploy 6,550 MW of battery storage across the Carolinas by 2035. A companion project at the Riverbend coal plant site in Mount Holly, a 115 MW four-hour BESS, is expected to be operational by late 2027. The commissioning of the battery storage system at the former Allen Steam Station, which operated from 1957 to 2024, signifies a transformation of the site. The project benefited from a 40 percent federal tax credit, including a 10 percent energy community reinvestment bonus. Duke Energy also plans to establish a regional renewable energy operations facility at the site, projected to create between 20 and 50 jobs. This development comes as customer energy demand in the Carolinas is projected to grow at eight times the historical rate over the next 15 years. Kendal Bowman, Duke Energy North Carolina President, stated, “We’re building new resources to keep the Carolinas’ economy thriving, while reinvesting in a former coal plant community.” The 50 MW system represents less than one percent of Duke Energy’s 6,550 MW target for battery storage by 2035. With a 200 MWh capacity and a four-hour duration, these batteries are primarily suited for shifting daytime renewable energy peaks and do not offer multi-day grid resilience. The company’s ability to achieve its 2035 storage goals hinges on continued regulatory approvals and the sustained availability of federal funding, such as the Investment and Jobs Act (IRA).

Critical Perspective

Duke Energy commissioned 50 MW of battery storage. This is a fraction of the 167 MW system planned for construction next year. California’s 2019 battery mandates led to a surge in projects, many of which struggled with profitability and grid integration. Will these projects truly offset the need for dispatchable generation as demand grows?