533rd largest plant in Texas · 3467th nationally
Buchanan Dam (Tx) is a hydroelectric power plant in Texas with a nameplate capacity of 54.9 MW. It generates roughly 14.1k MWh per year — enough to power about 1,342 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 3% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Buchanan Dam (Tx) |
|---|---|
| Operator | Lower Colorado River Authority |
| City | Buchanan Dam |
| County | Llano County |
| State | Texas |
| ZIP | 78609 |
| Coordinates | 30.75070, -98.41760 |
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 | 18.3 MW | Operating | 1938 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 18.3 MW | Operating | 1938 |
| 3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 18.3 MW | Operating | 1950 |
| NERC Region | TRE |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Electric Reliability Council Of Texas, Inc. |
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.