Duke Energy brought three new power plants online at the end of 2012 in North Carolina, representing a combined investment of nearly USD 3.65B and reducing emissions of sulfur dioxide, mercury and nitrogen oxides. The Cliffside Steam Station Unit 6 in Mooresboro, N.C. began commercial operation on Dec. 30 and provides 825MW. The coal unit uses emissions controls to remove 99% of sulfur dioxide, 90% of nitrogen oxides and 90% of mercury. Four 1940s-era coal units, totaling 198 MW of capacity, were retired at the plant in October 2011 and a scrubber was added to Unit 5 in the same year. The company plans to retire another 1,469MW of older coal generation in North Carolina associated with Unit 6. The 920 MW H.F. Lee Plant near Goldsboro, N.C. reached commercial operation Dec. 31 and uses a natural gas-fired combined-cycle design. The new plant, along with five combustion turbines at the existing Wayne County Energy Comples, will be called the H.F. Lee Energy Complex with a total generation capacity of 1,800 MW. Progress Energy Carolinas retired three coal-fired units totaling 382 MW and four combustion turbines at the Lee Plant earlier in 2012. Duke Energy announced that construction is underway at the 625 MW Sutton natural gas-fired combined-cycle plant, where 575 MW of coal-fired generation will be retired. The new plant is expected to enter commercial operation by the end of 2013.