Drought conditions in the Southeast have affected South Carolina and its neighboring states. While most of the focus has been related to impacts on residential and commercial water usage, the drought could have the potential to impact electric generation if it were to continue in its severity through 2008.
Generation facilities, such as coal-fired, nuclear, and natural gas combined-cycle plants, use water to condense the steam cycle back into water. Water is also required to cool critical plant components. Lakes and rivers often supply the source of this water. Persistent drought conditions can impact generation when water levels become too low for intake or water temperatures become too warm to meet environmental and operational regulations.
To help keep you informed about the drought and its effects, if any, on power production, SCE&G will periodically post updates on this Web site.
Jan. 25, 2008
The drought status for South Carolina was re-affirmed Jan. 22, with all counties, except Beaufort and Jasper classified in the “Severe” category. Beaufort and Jasper are classified as “Moderate.” Drought levels are declared in four stages – incipient, moderate, severe and extreme.
The rain which has fallen across much of South Carolina since late December has provided some degree of relief in regard to potential impacts on SCE&G’s electric generation. Our system should not see reliability impacts even if we receive less than normal rainfall similar to last year. We only see significant challenges in the very, very unlikely “No Rain” scenario.
That said, SCE&G, along with other utilities in the Southeast, is developing contingency plans to address potential impacts of the drought should it continue through 2008. That planning involves evaluating impacts on the company's generation facilities, and modeling various drought scenarios to help plan for the future.
In addition, SCE&G is working with neighboring utilities to monitor drought impacts on utility operations throughout the region. Utilities coordinate the operation of their systems to support the reliability of each utility’s service area, as well as the stability of the power grid for the entire region.
SCE&G provided an update to the South Carolina Public Service Commission Nov. 30 on its drought contingency planning.
Below are links to additional information resources.
