Beginning over a half century ago, these units marked the foundation of the Santee Cooper generating system, the nation's first state-owned hydroelectric and navigation project. The units are part of the first hydroelectric project constructed in a tidal area, and the first diversion in the U.S. of one river (Santee) to another (Cooper) for power generation and navigation.

Jefferies Hydro Powerhouse Tour Brochure

Jefferies Generating Station - Steam 1, 2, 3, 4

By the early 1950s the increasing demand for Santee Cooper power led to the construction of two oil-fired units adjacent to Jefferies Hydro Station on the Tailrace Canal. Though seldom used because of higher fuel costs as compared to coal, these units provide power during extreme demand times for electric power, a role also played by combustion turbines. Units 3 and 4 were added nearly 30 years ago.

Jefferies Steam Powerhouse Tour Brochure

Winyah Generating Station - Steam 1, 2, 3, 4

When it was built, Winyah was Santee Cooper's most ambitious generating project. The first unit was placed into service more than 20 years ago. That first unit is now a state-of-the art unit after being refurbished in 1995. Units 3 and 4 were the first units in the Southeast to have "scrubbers" which help hold down emissions into the environment.

Winyah Powerhouse Tour Brochure

Cross Generating Station - Steam 1, 2, 3, and 4

Grainger Generating Station - Steam 1 and 2

The Grainger Generating Station is unique in that while it is operated by Santee Cooper, it is owned by Central Electric Power Cooperative. Columbia-based Central is Santee Cooper's largest wholesale customer, sells power generated by Santee Cooper to the state's 20 electric co-ops in all 46 counties.  When Santee Cooper makes the final payment on Grainger early in the next decade, it will belong to Santee Cooper.

Grainger Powerhouse Tour Brochure

V.C. Summer Nuclear Generating Station

In a unique and beneficial project to Santee Cooper and investor-owned S.C. Electric & Gas Co., Santee Cooper owns one-third of the 24-year-old nuclear station. It is regularly cited by the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission as one of the best operated nuclear facilities in the country.

Rainey Generating Station (Iva, South Carolina)

The first phase of the Rainey Generating Station, a 500-megawatt combined cycle unit, began commercial operation on Jan. 1, 2002. By May 2002, two 150-MW simple-cycle combustion turbines were also in service. The Rainey Station is fueled by natural gas, Santee Cooper's first facility with gas as its primary fuel source.

Rainey Powerhouse Tour Brochure

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Combustion Turbine Units

Combustion Turbine 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (Myrtle Beach)
When the fast-growing Grand Strand area demands power at peak times, these combustion turbines fill the bill. Operating much like engines on jet aircraft, they can quickly be brought online. The first CTs on the Grand Strand were placed into service nearly 35 years ago, with susequent units added in the early and mid-1970s. Combustion turbines provide reserve capacity, remaining on stand-by because turbine fuel costs more than coal.

Combustion Turbine 1, 2, 3 (Hilton Head Island)
Power for Palmetto Electric Co-op is enhanced by the availability of these CTs, which have been online for nearly a quarter century. Beaufort County is one of the Southeast's fastest growing areas and Santee Cooper, working with the co-op, must have the ability to provide adequate power as demand increases