What is an integrated resource plan (IRP)?
Integrated resource plans (IRPs) are electricity providers’ plans for meeting projected customer demand for at least a 15-year period in an economical and reliable way, while maintaining flexibility and considering environmental consequences.
Who prepares IRPs? How often?
Electricity providers prepare IRPs at least every three years. The term ‘electricity providers’ includes investor-owned electrical utilities (IOUs),the South Carolina Public Service Authority (Santee Cooper), electric cooperatives, and municipally owned electric utilities. IOUs must also submit annual updates to their IRPs.
Investor-owned Utilities (IOUs)
IOUs submit their IRPs to the Public Service Commission of South Carolina (PSC). The PSC will review each IRP and must approve, modify, or deny an IRP within 300 days. Interested parties may also intervene (please see the PSC website for more information). If the PSC modifies or rejects an IRP, the IOU has 60 days to submit a revised plan. The ORS will then review the plan and report its findings to the PSC. Then, the PSC has 60 days to accept the plan or require further changes.
IOUs must also submit annual updates to their respective IRPs. These updates describe how changes in assumptions impact the plan. The ORS reviews annual updates and provides a recommendation to the PSC. The PSC can accept the updates or require changes.
If an IOU seeks permission from the PSC to build a generation plant of more than 75 MW or transmission of 125 kV or more, the PSC may require that the facility is consistent with that IOU’s IRP.
Dominion Energy South Carolina
Duke Energy Carolinas
Duke Energy Progress
Lockhart Power
South Carolina Public Service Authority (Santee Cooper)
Santee Cooper must develop its IRP in consultation with its electric cooperative and municipal utility customers. Santee Cooper submits its IRP to the Energy Office.
Electric Cooperatives
Distribution electric cooperatives (i.e., that do not provide generation or transmission) that are members of a wholesale cooperative, such as Central Electric Power Cooperative, may coordinate and consolidate their IRP into a single plan. Electric Cooperatives submit their IRPs to the Energy Office.
Municipal Utilities
Municipal utilities submit their IRPs to the Energy Office.