18th largest plant in Tennessee · 1837th nationally
Calderwood is a hydroelectric power plant in Tennessee with a nameplate capacity of 157 MW. It generates roughly 521.6k MWh per year — enough to power about 49,675 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 38% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Calderwood |
|---|---|
| Operator | Brookfield Smoky Mountain Hydropower Lp |
| City | Tallassee |
| County | Blount County |
| State | Tennessee |
| ZIP | 37878 |
| Coordinates | 35.49230, -83.98060 |
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 | 52.2 MW | Operating | 1930 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 52.2 MW | Operating | 1930 |
| 3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 52.2 MW | Operating | 1938 |
| 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.