22nd largest plant in Kentucky · 2103rd nationally
Barkley is a hydroelectric power plant in Kentucky with a nameplate capacity of 130 MW. It generates roughly 500.5k MWh per year — enough to power about 47,664 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 44% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Barkley |
|---|---|
| Operator | Usce-Nashville District |
| City | Kuttawa |
| County | Lyon County |
| State | Kentucky |
| ZIP | 42055 |
| Coordinates | 37.02170, -88.22110 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 32.5 MW | Operating | 1966 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 32.5 MW | Operating | 1966 |
| 3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 32.5 MW | Operating | 1966 |
| 4 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 32.5 MW | Operating | 1966 |
| NERC Region | SERC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Tennessee Valley Authority |
Hydroelectric plants spin turbines using falling or flowing water — typically from a dam-impounded reservoir. They are dispatchable, long-lived, and emission-free at the point of generation, though large reservoirs can disrupt rivers and ecosystems and methane can be released from flooded vegetation.