Buck Steam Station
| Company type | Power generation facility |
|---|---|
| Industry | Energy |
| Founded | 1926 |
| Founder | James Buchanan "Buck" Duke (namesake) |
| Headquarters | Rowan County , United States |
Area served | North Carolina |
| Products | Electricity generation (natural gas turbines, formerly coal-fired) |
| Owner | Duke Energy |
The Buck Steam Station is a power facility with a capacity of 369 MW, previously fueled by coal and currently owned by Duke Energy. The location hosts three natural gas combustion turbines, contributing 93 MW, which have been in operation since 1970. Plans include the addition of two natural gas combined cycle turbines. By April 2013, the coal-fired units (identified as 5-9) were retired, leaving only the natural gas units (11C and 12C) in service.
Steam plant
Established in 1926, Buck Steam Station carries the name of Duke Energy's co-founder, James Buchanan "Buck" Duke. Originally, the plant comprised three units, with a fourth added later following the acquisition of a cancelled Pentagon contract.
The community of Dukeville, North Carolina was founded the same year along the Yadkin River to accommodate workers from Buck Steam Station. In 2014, there were environmental concerns regarding coal ash ponds near Dukeville potentially impacting groundwater quality for local residents.
Addition of combined cycle turbines
In 2007, Duke Energy requested permission to install two 620 MW natural gas combined cycle units at both the Dan River Steam Station in Rockingham County and Buck Steam Station. This project was intended to enhance fuel diversity, increase generating capacity, and update the plant by replacing older, less efficient coal-fired units that produced higher emissions. After these new units were commissioned, plans called for retiring two of the four remaining coal units.
Demolition
During August and October 2018, parts of the facility were demolished through controlled implosions as part of its decommissioning. This activity was featured on an episode of the Smithsonian Channel program "Inside Mighty Machines," showcasing the shift away from traditional coal-based infrastructure.