202nd largest plant in Virginia · 8730th nationally
Niagara is a hydroelectric power plant in Virginia with a nameplate capacity of 3.6 MW. It generates roughly 8.0k MWh per year — enough to power about 762 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 25% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Niagara |
|---|---|
| Operator | Appalachian Power Co |
| City | Vinton |
| County | Roanoke County |
| State | Virginia |
| ZIP | 24179 |
| Coordinates | 37.25440, -79.87560 |
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 | 2.4 MW | Operating | 1954 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 1.2 MW | Operating | 1954 |
| NERC Region | RFC |
|---|---|
| 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.