Around 5pm Wednesday night, there were reports of gunfire near Wateree Hydro Station in Kershaw County.
Kershaw County, South Carolina — Security was on everyone’s mind after reports of a shooting opened near Waterleigh Hydro Station Wednesday night. This follows a recent attack on a substation in North Carolina that left it without power for days.
according to U.S. Energy Information Administration, there are 33 hydroelectric plants throughout South Carolina that generate energy. Security is always a priority at these energy stations.
The Wateree Hydro Station will generate 56 megawatts, which experts say will supply around 50,000 homes. South Carolina Regulatory Staff Office.
If security is compromised, or if any damage occurs to such facilities, hundreds of thousands of people could be affected.
duke energy and the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office The security team is actively involved in security patrols and has said it is increasing security measures for the station’s critical assets.
“Duke Energy plans to spend $75 billion on grid improvements over the next decade, including investments to make the grid safer from cyber and physical threats,” Duke Energy said in a statement. increase.
Nanette Edwards, executive director of the Office of Regulatory Staff, told News 19 that the level of security depends on the location and size of the hydropower plant.
“It’s not a densely populated area,” Edwards said. said.
Edwards also explains that there are no specific thresholds for activating state emergency management departments in the event of a threat.
“Let’s say there are 50,000 or more outages. If there is a reporting requirement to a particular federal agency and it is a crime, depending on what is going on, you would need the FBI, state law enforcement, SLED. ‘, said Edwards. “It’s possible that law enforcement will be involved in the incidents we’ve seen in North Carolina. In fact, we’re going to see law enforcement investigating the situation pretty closely in South Carolina as well. .”
According to the Office of Regulatory Staff, any damage done to the station must be repaired by the provider (Duke Energy in this case).
Communicating needs and expectations is paramount when it comes to these energy companies working with local, state, and federal agencies.
Governor of South Carolina Henry McMaster He and his staff said they are in contact with law enforcement about the situation at the Waterleigh hydroelectric plant.
Duke Energy told News 19 that it will carefully analyze these events and apply its findings to improve grid security.
South Carolina is more focused on generating nuclear, natural gas and coal energy, with hydropower making up a relatively small portion of the state’s overall portfolio, according to South Carolina energy leaders.
