52nd largest plant in Georgia · 2094th nationally
Buford is a hydroelectric power plant in Georgia with a nameplate capacity of 131 MW. It generates roughly 166.2k MWh per year — enough to power about 15,825 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 14% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Buford |
|---|---|
| Operator | Usce-Mobile District |
| City | Buford |
| County | Forsyth County |
| State | Georgia |
| ZIP | 30518 |
| Coordinates | 34.16228, -84.07737 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1A | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 62.0 MW | Operating | 2003 |
| 2A | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 62.0 MW | Operating | 2004 |
| 1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 40.0 MW | Retired | 1957 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 40.0 MW | Retired | 1957 |
| 3A | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 7.2 MW | Operating | 2005 |
| 3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 6.0 MW | Retired | 1957 |
| NERC Region | SERC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Southern Company Services, Inc. - Trans |
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.