35th largest plant in North Carolina · 2025th nationally
Cheoah is a hydroelectric power plant in North Carolina with a nameplate capacity of 140 MW. It generates roughly 447.8k MWh per year — enough to power about 42,646 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 37% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Cheoah |
|---|---|
| Operator | Brookfield Smoky Mountain Hydropower Lp |
| City | Tapoco |
| County | Graham County |
| State | North Carolina |
| ZIP | 28771 |
| Coordinates | 35.44780, -83.93830 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 30.0 MW | Operating | 1949 |
| 1A | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 27.5 MW | Operating | 2012 |
| 2A | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 27.5 MW | Operating | 2012 |
| 3A | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 27.5 MW | Operating | 2013 |
| 4A | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 27.5 MW | Operating | 2012 |
| 1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 20.0 MW | Retired | 1919 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 20.0 MW | Retired | 1919 |
| 3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 20.0 MW | Retired | 1919 |
| 4 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 20.0 MW | Retired | 1919 |
| 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.