Buncombe County Renewables
Meeting Western Carolinas Modernization Plan Goals
New solar and energy storage projects to serve region
New solar plants and energy storage will bring carbon-free generation and storage that is safe, clean and quiet and has minimal impact on local services like schools, roads and water.
The energy storage projects will support efficient day-to-day electric grid operations and can improve grid efficiency by reducing power congestion during peak usage times. Energy storage is powered by renewable energy sources when demand is lower allowing customers to use it when demand is high. Energy storage can also potentially defer the need for additional generation.
Together, these projects will help:
- Improves reliability and resiliency by supporting grid operations and providing carbon-free power during periods of peak use
- Provide clean, renewable energy for community residents and businesses
- Benefit local businesses during construction
- Advance the county and state’s renewable energy goals
- Create new construction jobs
- Increase county tax revenue
Woodfin Solar Plant now serving our customers
Solar and Energy Storage Projects in Buncombe County
The Asheville Energy Complex will be comprised of the 9.5-megawatt fixed-tilt Asheville Solar Plant along with the Asheville Energy Storage facility, a 17.3-megawatt, 69-megawatt-hour lithium-ion battery energy storage system. The Asheville Energy Complex will be constructed and operated by Duke Energy at the existing Asheville Energy Storage Facility site, located off Duke Energy Lane in Arden, N.C. These new carbon-free generation projects will be co-located with the combined cycle plant, which went into service in 2019 and 2020, serving our customers in the region.
Buncombe County granted a special use permit request for the solar and battery projects in May 2023. A Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) was issued by NC Utilities Commission in August 2023 (for the solar project), and construction is expected to begin in 2025. We expect the plant to be in service in 2026.
The Asheville Solar Plant can power approximately 1780 homes and has an expected lifespan of 25-30 years. The battery energy storage facility has an expected 30-year lifespan.
This 4.6-megawatt, 4.6-megawatt-hour lithium-ion battery energy storage system will use lithium-ion battery technology. The project will be constructed on less than an acre at an existing Duke Energy substation site in an industrial area on Riverside Drive in Woodfin.
The Town of Woodfin granted a special use permit request for this project in September 2023. Construction is expected to begin in 2024 and completed by 2025.
This 31-megawatt, 62 megawatt-hour battery storage project, will be located on approximately 2 acres at the existing Craggy substation property and will use lithium-ion technology. In addition to supporting day-to-day operations, the energy storage will support the new Craggy-Enka 230-kV transmission line.
Duke Energy is requesting a special use permit from the Town of Woodfin in October 2023. Construction is expected to begin in 2025 and we expect the project to be in service by mid-2026.
Battery energy storage facilities have a 30-year lifespan.
This 5-megawatt solar power plant is located in Woodfin, N.C. and is being constructed on 25 acres of retired landfill space. It is owned and operated by Duke Energy Progress under a 25-year land lease agreement with Buncombe County.
Approved by the North Carolina Utilities Commission, the Woodfin Solar Plant is in service as of August 2024 and will produce enough energy annually to power approximately 1,000 homes.
The Woodfin Solar Plant will allow the county to reach nearly 20 percent of its 2030 renewable energy goals with locally sourced clean energy.
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