110th largest plant in South Carolina · 6528th nationally
Gaston Shoals is a hydroelectric power plant in South Carolina with a nameplate capacity of 6.7 MW. It generates roughly 19.3k MWh per year — enough to power about 1,838 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 33% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Gaston Shoals |
|---|---|
| Operator | Northbrook Carolina Hydro Ii, Llc |
| City | Blacksburg |
| County | Cherokee County |
| State | South Carolina |
| ZIP | 29702 |
| Coordinates | 35.13810, -81.59750 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 2.5 MW | Operating | 1927 |
| 3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 1.4 MW | Out of Service | 1908 |
| 4 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 1.4 MW | Out of Service | 1908 |
| 5 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 1.4 MW | Out of Service | 1908 |
| NERC Region | SERC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Duke Energy Carolinas |
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.