862nd largest plant in North Carolina · 11275th nationally
High Shoals Hydro (Nc) is a hydroelectric power plant in North Carolina with a nameplate capacity of 1.8 MW. It generates roughly 2.9k MWh per year — enough to power about 276 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 18% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | High Shoals Hydro (Nc) |
|---|---|
| Operator | Central Rivers Power Us, Llc |
| City | High Shoals |
| County | Lincoln County |
| State | North Carolina |
| ZIP | 28077 |
| Coordinates | 35.39425, -81.20100 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEN1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 1.8 MW | Operating | 1934 |
| 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.