US power player Duke Energy has announced plans to update its Cliffside Steam Station, located in Rutherford and Cleveland counties, North Carolina with the construct of two 800 MW base load coal-fired units.

The company has applied for approval from the North Carolina Utilities Commission for the plans that would see the initial unit come on line as early as 2011. The project also includes the retirement of four existing units at the site with a total capacity of 160 MW.