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SC NEXUS CONSORTIUM MEMBER SPOTLIGHT:
Santee Cooper: Your State-Owned Public Power Partner | | | | |
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Santee Cooper’s legacy is strong. Since 1934, it has been proudly serving people and businesses right here in South Carolina.
As the state’s largest power provider, Santee Cooper is the ultimate source of electricity for more than 2 million people. Along with its direct-serve residential and commercial customers, Santee Cooper’s customer base includes Central Electric Power Cooperative Inc. and the state’s electric cooperatives, 13 municipalities, and 31 large industrial customers, including Joint Base Charleston.
It also provides clean water from its Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion water plants to more than 250,000 people in the Lowcountry.
South Carolina is rapidly growing, and Santee Cooper is answering the call by bringing an additional 5,000 megawatts to the state’s grid to power people and progress.
And it’s not stopping there. Through strategic partnership, Santee Cooper powers South Carolina's economic growth with development-ready sites and reliable power. Santee Cooper’s economic development team is part of a coordinated regional approach, working in all counties of the state with economic development partners — including SC NEXUS— to help secure a bright future for all of South Carolina.
We are better when we work together. Since its inception, SC NEXUS has been a key collaborator and a facilitator of strategic advanced energy initiatives across the entire state. South Carolina’s energy future is stronger because of its efforts.
In 2025, Santee Cooper helped facilitate project announcements with $2.73 billion in capital investment and nearly 2,000 jobs statewide. Santee Cooper also is developing Camp Hall, an award-winning commerce park that focuses on the connection between “man, nature and the machine.” Santee Cooper’s thoughtful approach to Camp Hall protects the environment, promotes a healthy work-life balance and supports industry.
Santee Cooper’s diverse and talented team of more than 1,600 professionals is dedicated to its vision to be the state’s leading resource for improving the lives of South Carolinians for future generations. Follow the news, find the facts and read employee stories at newsroom.santeecooper.com.
To connect with the Santee Cooper economic development team, visit poweringsc.com.
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WHAT'S SPARKING CONVERSATION | | | | |
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The SC NEXUS Entrepreneurship and Innovation Exchange (eiX) Venture Studio Bootcamp Kicked Off in Greenville
Entrepreneurs from across the nation recently gathered in Greenville,S.C, for the SC NEXUS Entrepreneurship and Innovation (eiX) Venture Studio Bootcamp.
The eiX Venture Studio provides participants with guidance through a flexible, 16-week program while they work closely with universities and federal laboratories. Building on established partnerships, the program works with Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) to identify promising energy technologies for the Venture Studio. Throughout the experience, participants are connected with the resources, expertise and support needed to explore the potential of launching new energy companies.
During the two-day kickoff, participants had the opportunity to meet their teammates in person, connect with their coach and learn more about the inventor behind the technology they will be exploring.
Through collaboration with partners including Clemson University, Savannah River National Laboratory, South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA), NextGEN and FedTech, the eiX Venture Studio is helping connect promising technologies with the people, resources and expertise needed to move energy innovation forward.
“After 25 years across the Navy, federal labs and industry, I’ve seen too much good technology never leave the building. eiX puts the inventor at the table and makes finding the customer the whole job. That’s the piece that’s usually missing.”
— Scott Miller, entrepreneur, SC NEXUS eiX Venture Studio
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SC NEXUS Resource Center Update | | | | |
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Featured Members
and Consortium Wins
| | As SC NEXUS unlocks new collaborations, we are proud to announce the progress with our project teams and the many doors opened to exciting growth opportunities. | | | | |
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Savannah River Nuclear Solutions Receives State's Highest Award for Education and Career Development
Selected from nearly 100 nominations, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) was named the 2026 South Carolina Workforce Champion by Gov. Henry McMaster and the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW). The honor recognizes for the SRNS Education Outreach Programs (EOP), SRS Apprenticeship School and summer internship program.
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NextGEN Named Among TIME's American Top Incubators and Accelerators of 2026
Greenville, South Carolina-based entrepreneur support organization has been named one of America's Top Incubators and Accelerator of 2026. NextGen connects innovative entrepreneurs with resources and support that resources and support that help launch and scale thriving businesses.
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The Governor's School for Science and Mathematics Launches Free STEM Days Programming
The South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics (GSSM) is accepting requests from schools across the state to participate in its free STEM Days program for students in grades three through 10. The initiative offers two formats: STEM Days at GSSM, which takes place on the Hartsville campus, and STEM Days on the Go, which brings interactive lessons directly to partner school classrooms.
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Duke Energy Files the 2026 Carolinas
Resource Plan
Duke Energy recently filed its 2026 Carolinas Resource Plan with the Public Service Commission of South Carolina, where it is now under review. The dual-state resource plan incorporates execution-informed assumptions and reflects current industry, policy and market conditions.
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Oklo Claims PJM Improperly Dropped its Virginia Project
Oklo filed an emergency request with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission claiming that one of its potential generation projects has been "unjustifiably withdrawn" from the PJM Interconnection queue. Oklo broke ground on its first Aurora powerhouse, sited at Idaho National Laboratory, in September 2025.
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Charleston's Port to be a Stop for a Hypothetical Nuclear-Powered Ship
Charleston will be the U.S. port of call for a hypothetical nuclear-powered container ship at the heart of an international maritime experiment. The “conceptual” merchant vessel will help experts examine the feasibility of creating a zero-emission “Pink Corridor” trade route between South Carolina and southeast England.
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Dominion Energy Secures Shareholder Approval for Merger with NextEra
In a regulatory filing, Dominion Energy shareholders approved the utilities previously announced $66.8 billion merger with NextEra Energy. The merger is expected to create one of the world’s largest electric utilities.
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Duke Energy Foundation Invest $180,000 in Workforce Training to Support Growth Across South Carolina
In an effort to strengthen the talent pipeline, the Duke Energy Foundation is awarding $180,000 in grants to nine technical colleges across the state to expand construction-related training and enhance hands-on learning opportunities.
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Siemens Energy to Divest Industrial Unit in Bid to Focus on Gas Turbines, Grids
Siemens Energy recently announced plans to sell most of its division supplying industrial customers. The decision aims to sharpen the power equipment supplier’s focus on the booming utility sector.
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Clemon University's Grid Emulator Helps Test New Technology
The Duke Energy eGRID gives utilities, manufactures and researchers a place to test new grid equipment and technologies under real-world conditions without putting the grid at risk.
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2026 CSRA College Night
Savannah River Site Education Outreach is hosting CRSA College Night, designed to inform high school students and their parents about college education opportunities. Representatives from colleges and universities across the United States will be in attendance. Students will also have the opportunity to enter $1,000 scholarship drawings and learn about counseling and career exploration resources.
AUGUSTA, GA / SEPTEMBER 11, 2026
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Aiken-Augusta / Southeastern Energy Summit
The fifth annual Aiken-Augusta/Southeastern Energy Summit will take place Sept.14-18, 2026. SC NEXUS is proud to join industry leaders and partners for this five-day event, featuring engaging panels, energy facility tours and insightful presentations. Each segment will explore the rapid growth of the energy economy, with discussions focused on energy generation, infrastructure, grid enhancements and the priorities shaping the future of
the industry.
AIKEN, SC / SEPTEMBER 14-18, 2026
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Next Venture Summit
The Next Venture Summit provides attendees with a unique space for more than 200 industry leaders, investors, founders and ecosystem supporters to gather. Three events will be wrapped into a two-day experience including match day, networking reception and the summit. Now is the time to pitch business ideas, learn from subject matter experts and get integrated within the entrepreneurship space.
GREENVILLE, SC / SEPTEMBER 15-16, 2026
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Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Fall Innovation Conference
Join federal partners and organizations from across the country as they engage in panel discussions focused on critical innovation mission needs, research funding and presentations at the SBIR/STTR Fall Innovation Conference. In addition to multiple breakout sessions, the conference will feature more than 200 exhibits, providing attendees with opportunities to network across agencies.
NATIONAL HARBOR, MB / SEPTEMBER 22-24, 2026
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Governor's Nuclear Advisory Committee Meeting
The Governor's Nuclear Advisory Committee Meeting serves to advise the governor on issues pertaining to nuclear activities in South Carolina and other duties.
COLUMBIA, SC / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026
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SC Economic Development Association MidYear Meeting
Join SC Economic Development Association (SCEDA) for its MidYear Meeting in Greenville at the Hyatt Regency for two days of networking and education. This year’s event, themed “Progress Through Partnerships,” celebrates the collaborative spirit of the state’s economic development community.
GREENVILLE, SC / SEPTEMBER 24-25, 2026
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3rd Annual SC Nuclear Summit
The 3rd Annual SC Nuclear Summit, hosted by the Palmetto Nuclear Coalition, will be held at the Colonial Life Arena bringing together industry, government, academia and business leaders to advance South Carolina's growing role in nuclear innovation and economic development.
COLUMBIA, SC / SEPTEMBER 28-29, 2026
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NSF Grid Modernization Engine in the Carolinas Seeking Chief Executive Officer
The NSF Grid Modernization Engine in the Carolinas is seeking a chief executive officer to lead the initiative as it advances grid modernization and energy innovation across the region. The initiative brings together industry, academic and research partners to develop and deploy technologies that strengthen the nation’s energy grid
Apply
To share job postings relevant to consortium members and advancing SC NEXUS’ mission, please email a link to the posting and the application deadline to SCNEXUS@sccommerce.com.
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| SC Nexus for Advanced Resilient Energy | 1201 Main Street Suite 1600 | Columbia, SC 29201 US | | | | |
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