Duke Energy proposes two small gas-fired units at its Sutton Plant

Duke Energy Progress has asked N.C. regulators to approve construction of two small combustion turbine natural-gas plants, totaling 84 megawatts, at its Sutton Plant near Wilmington.

The cost estimate for the project is treated as confidential in the filing as Duke (NYSE: DUK) is still in negotiations with contractors and major equipment suppliers. But based on U.S. Energy Information Administration price estimates for combustion turbine construction, the project is likely to cost close to $80 million.

The…