Natural Gas News – April 10, 2018

Natural Gas News – April 10, 2018

Duke Energy Commissions 750MW Combined-Cycle Natural Gas Plant in South Carolina

Fossil Fuel Energy Business Review reported: Duke Energy commissioned a new 750MW combinedcycle natural gas plant at the existing W.S. Lee Station in Anderson County, South Carolina, US. The power plant, construction of which was started in March 2015, is part of the company’s balanced approach to modernizing the fleet and maintaining a diverse fuel portfolio. The firm closed two coal-fired units at the W.S. Lee Station in 2014 while the third coal unit was converted to natural gas in 2015. Currently, it has no power plants in South Carolina that use coal as fuel. Duke Energy South Carolina state president Kodwo Ghartey-Tagoe said: “Investing in a smarter, more efficient energy future through projects like the new W.S. Lee plant is more than just good business – it’s an investment in our state that helps attract jobs and industry and make our economy and communities stronger. “This project represents a longterm commitment to South Carolina – a $700m investment in the station, environment and surrounding communities.”

China Energy Giant ‘Confident’ U.S. Energy Ties Set to Deepen

Bloomberg reported: The head of China’s largest natural gas importer believes the country’s energy ties with the U.S. are set to deepen, despite trade conflict between the world’s two largest economies that has roiled financial markets. “There is more room for cooperation than confrontation between China and the U.S.,” China National Petroleum Corp. Chairman Wang Yilin said Monday in an interview with Bloomberg TV on the tropical island of Hainan, where he was attending the Boao Forum for Asia. “I hope our cooperation with U.S. partners won’t be negatively affected by the trade disputes.”