Duke Energy's renewable energy portfolio grew almost 20 percent in 2017, according to new report

- Company added more than 1,000 megawatts of wind, solar and biomass

- Almost 40 percent of the company's electricity produces no greenhouse gas emissions

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Apr 30, 2018, 08:30 ET

CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 30, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy's renewable energy capacity grew by almost 20 percent in 2017, according to the company's newly posted Sustainability Report.

One of the company's sustainability goals is to own, or have under contract, 8,000 megawatts (MW) of wind, solar and biomass capacity by 2020. Over the past year, the company has made strong progress toward that goal, growing its renewable energy capacity from 5,400 MW to more than 6,400 MW, which can power more than 1 million homes at peak production.

Duke Energy increased its renewable energy capacity by about 20 percent in 2017. Solar plants, like the Dogwood Solar facility in Halifax County, N.C., are part of the company’s success story. Duke Energy has more than 70 solar facilities around the nation.

Combining nuclear, renewables and hydroelectric power, about 40 percent of Duke Energy's electric generation puts out no greenhouse emissions.

"Duke Energy continues to invest in cleaner energy, shifting from coal to natural gas with a greater reliance on renewable energy, reducing our environmental footprint and modernizing our energy grid to support new customer-focused technology," said Cari Boyce, senior vice president, stakeholder strategy and sustainability and president, Duke Energy Foundation.

Solar power currently makes up 52 percent of the company's 6,400 MW of renewable capacity, while wind represents 38 percent and biomass makes up 10 percent.

In addition to its growing renewable energy portfolio, the company continues to rely on two other "zero greenhouse gas" sources: more than 8,800 MW of nuclear capacity and 3,500 MW of hydroelectric and pumped storage hydro.

In its 12^th year, Duke Energy's Sustainability Report provides details of the company's performance in four key areas – customers, growth, operations and employees. The report also tracks the company's progress on other sustainability goals and programs, such as:

The company's carbon dioxide emissions continue to drop – down 31 percent from 2005 levels, with a 40 percent goal by 2030.
Duke Energy continues to deliver value to customers, with a price per kilowatt-hour of electricity remaining lower than the national average in all six states the company serves retail electric customers.
The company has met its goal to recycle 80 percent of its solid waste a year early.
Duke Energy remains an industry leader and at the top of its peer group in employee safety, with the company's safety metrics continuing to improve.
In 2017, employees and retirees volunteered more than 115,000 hours in the community. May 1 marks the start of Duke Energy In Action Month, an annual initiative to galvanize employees around community service.

Duke Energy has a long history of being recognized as one of the top sustainable companies in the industry. For 12 straight years, Duke Energy has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index of companies for North America.

Duke Energy

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is one of the largest energy holding companies in the United States. Its Electric Utilities and Infrastructure business unit serves approximately 7.5 million customers located in six states in the Southeast and Midwest. The company's Gas Utilities and Infrastructure business unit distributes natural gas to approximately 1.6 million customers in the Carolinas, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. Its Commercial Renewables business unit operates a growing renewable energy portfolio across the United States.

Duke Energy is a Fortune 125 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com.

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SOURCE Duke Energy