Santee Cooper fires up fourth coal-fired unit

Santee Cooper brought its $755 million 600-megawatt Cross Unit 4 online Wednesday, three months ahead of schedule and on budget.

The startup is a step forward in meeting the state’s growing power needs, the company said.

“Completing construction work at Cross (Generating) Station reinforces our ability to provide low-cost, reliable electric power for our 163,000 retail customers in Berkeley, Georgetown and Horry counties, for the 20 electric cooperatives throughout our state and for our more than 30 industrial customers,” said Bill McCall, executive vice president and COO.

This unit completes a 25-year buildout of the Cross station, located in northwestern Berkeley County. The station’s four units total 2,400 MW of generating capability, making Cross the largest coal-fired generating station in the Carolinas, with the ability to power 1.1 million average-sized homes. Coal remains the nation’s most abundant fuel for generating electricity, and it powers about half of the country’s electric needs.

President and CEO Lonnie Carter said that the Cross units are the most efficient in Santee Cooper’s fleet and that this newest unit will ensure the utility continues to meet the state’s electric needs and protects its natural resources.

“All of our Cross units have been built with environmental control technology that significantly reduces emissions,” Carter said.

“With its increased efficiency and best available environmental control technology, Cross Unit 4 will play a vital role as Santee Cooper continues to ensure the lights stay on in South Carolina. Our state’s economic well-being requires dependable power as we continue to compete for good jobs in the 21st century’s global economy.”

Construction on Cross Units 3 and 4 began in April 2004. The $1.4 billion project represented the largest single capital expenditure in Santee Cooper history. Cross Unit 3 entered commercial operation on Jan. 1, 2007, following the first two units in 1983 and 1995.

Santee Cooper is South Carolina’s state-owned electric and water utility and the state’s largest power producer, supplying electricity to more than 163,000 retail customers in Berkeley, Georgetown and Horry counties, as well as to 29 large industrial facilities, the cities of Bamberg and Georgetown and the Charleston Air Force Base.

Approximately 2 million South Carolinians receive their power directly or indirectly from Santee Cooper. The utility also provides water to 137,000 consumers in Berkeley and Dorchester counties and the town of Santee.