Published 05-02-22
Submitted by Duke Energy
CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 2, 2022 /CSRwire/ – Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) had its best year ever for adding renewable energy as the company posted a 20% jump in wind and solar power in 2021.
This information, along with large amounts of other data and insights, was detailed in Duke Energy’s comprehensive ESG Report (formerly Sustainability Report), the company’s 16th annual disclosure on environment, social and governance (ESG) topics. (Watch a video about the report.)
“ESG is essential to who we are,” said Katherine Neebe, Duke Energy’s chief sustainability officer and president, Duke Energy Foundation. “Our ESG strategy is focused on how we create value while at the same time mitigate the risks associated with our business. As we lead the most ambitious clean energy transition in our industry, we will continue to track and report our progress.”
One of the company’s goals is to own, operate or contract for 16,000 megawatts (MWs) of renewable energy by 2025. During 2021, the company went from almost 8,800 MWs of wind and solar at the end of 2020 to just over 10,500 MWs by the end of 2021.
The leading states for Duke Energy’s renewable energy increase in 2021:
Renewable energy is an important part of Duke Energy’s effort to reduce carbon emissions from electric generation by at least 50% (based on 2005 levels) by 2030 and net-zero by 2050. This trajectory is supported by over 50% of Duke Energy’s generation mix coming from carbon-free resources by 2030.
The company has reduced Scope 1 carbon emissions from electricity generation by 44% since 2005. In addition, earlier this year the company announced expanded 2050 net-zero carbon emissions goals to include Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 emissions, and to have coal represent less than 5% of the generation mix by 2030 and a full exit by 2035.
Other report highlights and insights:
Duke Energy
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 28,000 people.
Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy strategy to create a smarter energy future for its customers and communities. The company has goals of at least a 50% carbon reduction from electric generation and net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030, and net-zero emissions by 2050 from its electric and natural gas businesses, including Scopes 1, 2 and certain Scope 3 emissions. The company also is investing in major electric grid upgrades and expanded battery storage and exploring zero-emitting power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.
Duke Energy was named to Fortune’s 2022 “World’s Most Admired Companies” list and Forbes’ “America’s Best Employers” list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy’s illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
Media contact:
Randy Wheeless
24-hour: 800.559.3853
Twitter: @DE_RandyW
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. The company’s electric utilities serve 8.4 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 54,800 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky.
Duke Energy is executing an ambitious energy transition, keeping customer reliability and value at the forefront as it builds a smarter energy future. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables and energy storage.
More information is available at duke-energy.com and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and visit illumination for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition.
More from Duke Energy