Along the banks of the Ohio River, the Cane Run Generating Station stands as a symbol of transformation. Operated by Louisville Gas and Electric Company, it is part of a generation portfolio that includes stations run by LG&E’s sister utility, Kentucky Utilities Company. The Cane Run site reflects decades of energy innovation and a forward-looking approach to meeting Kentucky’s growing power needs.
A Legacy of Safe, Reliable and Affordable Energy
Cane Run began commercial operation in 1954 as a coal-fired plant built to meet Louisville’s post-war industrial boom. Over the years, it expanded to six units and employed nearly 500 people at its peak. In 1973, LG&E pioneered sulfur dioxide removal technology at the site, installing one of the nation’s first scrubbers. The innovation earned national recognition and a visit from President Jimmy Carter in 1979.
The coal-fired plant was retired on June 16, 2015, and just three days later, Cane Run Unit 7 entered commercial operation, marking a major milestone in Kentucky’s clean energy transition.
Efficiency Meets Lower Emissions
Cane Run Unit 7 was Kentucky’s first natural gas combined-cycle generating unit. It produces 691 megawatts of electricity using two natural gas turbines and a steam turbine powered by recycled exhaust heat. The unit replaced the retired coal capacity with:
- Greater efficiency
- A 99% reduction in sulfur dioxide emissions
- An 82% reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions
- A more than 50% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions
This cleaner, more efficient technology reflects PPL’s commitment to modernizing generation assets and reducing carbon intensity.
Meeting Tomorrow’s Demand
Annual energy requirements in Kentucky are projected to grow from 32,808 gigawatt-hours in 2025 to 48,129 gigawatt-hours by 2032. Seasonal peak demand could rise from 6,230 megawatts in the summer of 2025 to 8,034 megawatts by 2032.
This growth isn’t abstract — it’s driven by what we’re all seeing across Kentucky every day. The growth of new and expanding businesses, from new manufacturing facilities to residential complexes and data centers, and customers’ overall energy needs are analyzed as part of LG&E and KU’s long-term planning processes.
Last year, through LG&E and KU’s Integrated Resource Plan, the utilities forecasted record-breaking economic growth and data center development, and those projections remain on track. Just this August alone, more than $6.3 billion in new investment was announced in Kentucky, much of it within LG&E and KU’s service area.
To help meet these needs, on Oct. 28 the Kentucky Public Service Commission approved LG&E and KU’s plans to construct two new, highly efficient 645-megawatt natural gas combined-cycle units and upgrade environmental technology on Unit 2 at the Ghent Generating Station.
These modern units use advanced technology similar to the unit currently under construction at Mill Creek in Jefferson County. This new generation will support LG&E and KU’s ability to continue serving customers safely and reliably, while keeping pace with Kentucky’s record-setting economic development.
A System Built for the Future
Cane Run’s transformation positions it as a critical asset in meeting this demand safely, reliably and affordably, all while embracing innovation. It’s also a model for how legacy sites can evolve to meet modern energy challenges.
Combined with the new approved generation projects, continued reliability investments, and Kentucky’s growing economic momentum, Cane Run Unit 7 stands as a reminder of how thoughtful planning ensures LG&E and KU can keep delivering safe, reliable and affordable energy for decades to come.
