Duke Energy’s chief executive James Rogers has indicated that the utility is planning a pilot 100 megawatt solar thermal plant.

In a report filed by Reuters, Rogers said the utility, one of the largest electric power companies in the U. S., is looking at such a project this year. He also added that Duke Energy is “battling with financing” and “it’s very difficult to borrow the kind of money which you need for these really big expansion programmes”.

The development has emerged at a stage when Duke Energy continues to build its solar energy portfolio in support of its strategy to increase its investment in renewable energy.

Duke Energy owns and operates regulated (franchised) and unregulated (wholesale) power plants in North America and Latin America.