32nd largest plant in North Carolina · 1693rd nationally
Gaston is a hydroelectric power plant in North Carolina with a nameplate capacity of 178 MW. It generates roughly 226.8k MWh per year — enough to power about 21,604 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 15% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Gaston |
|---|---|
| Operator | Virginia Electric & Power Co |
| City | Roanoke Rapids |
| County | Halifax County |
| State | North Carolina |
| ZIP | 27870 |
| Coordinates | 36.49915, -77.81154 |
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 | 44.4 MW | Operating | 1963 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 44.4 MW | Operating | 1963 |
| 3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 44.4 MW | Operating | 1963 |
| 4 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 44.4 MW | Operating | 1963 |
| NERC Region | SERC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Pjm Interconnection, Llc |
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.