154th largest plant in North Carolina · 5306th nationally
Chatuge is a hydroelectric power plant in North Carolina with a nameplate capacity of 13.2 MW. It generates roughly 21.0k MWh per year — enough to power about 2,004 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 18% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Chatuge |
|---|---|
| Operator | Tennessee Valley Authority |
| City | Hayesville |
| County | Clay County |
| State | North Carolina |
| ZIP | 28904 |
| Coordinates | 35.01913, -83.79144 |
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 | 13.2 MW | Operating | 1954 |
| 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.