44th largest plant in Tennessee · 4020th nationally
Cheatham is a hydroelectric power plant in Tennessee with a nameplate capacity of 36.0 MW. It generates roughly 177.3k MWh per year — enough to power about 16,889 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 56% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Cheatham |
|---|---|
| Operator | Usce-Nashville District |
| City | Ashland City |
| County | Dickson County |
| State | Tennessee |
| ZIP | 37036 |
| Coordinates | 36.32080, -87.22190 |
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 | 12.0 MW | Operating | 1958 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 12.0 MW | Operating | 1958 |
| 3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 12.0 MW | Operating | 1958 |
| 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.