Duke wants 355,000 megawatt hours of renewable energy by 2012

By 2012, Duke Energy in Ohio wants to get 355,000 megawatt hours of its energy supply from renewable sources like solar and wind. That's enough power for about 30,000 homes. The power company, one of the nation's largest burners of coal, is now seeking proposals from suppliers who can begin delivering energy from alternative, renewable sources beginning in 2009. In

that year, Duke wants 61,000 megawatt hours from alternative sources -- which could include geothermal energy, biomass, hydro and fuel cells -- growing to 355,000 by 2012.
 
Much of that will be coming from Ohio suppliers, as the company says it will give preference to renewable power produced in the state. A new Ohio energy law requires utilities to get 12.5 percent of their power supply from alternative sources by 2025 and to generate half of their renewable power from facilities located in the state. "This is the first step toward that goal," says Duke spokesman Steve Brash.

Writer: David Holthaus
Source: Steve Brash, Duke Energy