41st largest plant in Tennessee · 3658th nationally
Chilhowee is a hydroelectric power plant in Tennessee with a nameplate capacity of 49.8 MW. It generates roughly 146.9k MWh per year — enough to power about 13,993 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 34% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Chilhowee |
|---|---|
| Operator | Brookfield Smoky Mountain Hydropower Lp |
| City | Tallassee |
| County | Blount County |
| State | Tennessee |
| ZIP | 37801 |
| Coordinates | 35.54530, -84.05030 |
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 | 16.6 MW | Operating | 1957 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 16.6 MW | Operating | 1957 |
| 3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 16.6 MW | Operating | 1957 |
| 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.