26th largest plant in Tennessee · 2389th nationally
Nickajack is a hydroelectric power plant in Tennessee with a nameplate capacity of 104 MW. It generates roughly 509.6k MWh per year — enough to power about 48,535 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 56% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Nickajack |
|---|---|
| Operator | Tennessee Valley Authority |
| City | New Hope |
| County | Marion County |
| State | Tennessee |
| ZIP | 37340 |
| Coordinates | 35.00170, -85.62180 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 27.9 MW | Operating | 1968 |
| 1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 27.4 MW | Operating | 1968 |
| 3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 24.3 MW | Operating | 1968 |
| 4 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 24.3 MW | Operating | 1968 |
| NERC Region | SERC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Tennessee Valley Authority |
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.