Louisville Gas & Electric Co. (LG&E) and Kentucky Utilities Co. (KU) have filed a joint application requesting approval by the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) to retire and replace three natural gas simple-cycle combustion turbines and four coal-fired electric generating units. 

Under the proposal, the utilities would replace the retired facilities with two natural gas combined-cycle facilities, as well as add two solar facilities, one battery storage facility and four solar power purchase agreements.  

If approved, the replacements could be online between 2026 and 2028, at a cost of almost $2.1 million, according to PSC’s William Coston, director of financial analysis.

In testimony before the PSC regarding the application, the utilities’ President John Crockett...