69th largest plant in North Carolina · 3346th nationally
Mountain Island is a hydroelectric power plant in North Carolina with a nameplate capacity of 60.0 MW. It generates roughly 99.6k MWh per year — enough to power about 9,482 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 19% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Mountain Island |
|---|---|
| Operator | Duke Energy Carolinas, Llc |
| City | Mount Holly |
| County | Gaston County |
| State | North Carolina |
| ZIP | 28120 |
| Coordinates | 35.33390, -80.98670 |
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 | 15.0 MW | Operating | 1923 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 15.0 MW | Operating | 1923 |
| 3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 15.0 MW | Operating | 1923 |
| 4 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 15.0 MW | Operating | 1923 |
| 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.