Image courtesy KCC
The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) announced it has approved two settlement agreements that allow Evergy Kansas Central to recover costs for three new energy projects designed to meet rising demand and improve electric reliability.
Evergy plans to build a solar facility in Douglas County and two combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plants in Sumner and Reno counties. The utility submitted its cost recovery application last November. Thirty-one parties intervened in the case alongside KCC staff.
The Commission approved a unanimous settlement for the Kansas Sky solar project, finding the $228.1 million investment supported by strong evidence and beneficial for diversifying Kansas’s energy mix.
A separate, non-unanimous settlement for the gas plants—estimated to cost Evergy Kansas Central over $1.5 billion—was also approved. The Commission said the plan offers safeguards to protect customers and supports reliable energy expansion.
While the projects won’t immediately affect rates, Evergy can begin recovering costs a year after construction begins through a state-approved rider. The KCC also urged the utility to slow the pace of rate cases and consider less costly options for future growth.
