91st largest plant in North Carolina · 3831st nationally
Nantahala is a hydroelectric power plant in North Carolina with a nameplate capacity of 43.2 MW. It generates roughly 186.1k MWh per year — enough to power about 17,723 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 49% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Nantahala |
|---|---|
| Operator | Duke Energy Carolinas, Llc |
| City | Topton |
| County | Macon County |
| State | North Carolina |
| ZIP | 28781 |
| Coordinates | 35.27150, -83.67620 |
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 | 43.2 MW | Operating | 1942 |
| 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.