131st largest plant in South Carolina · 8944th nationally
Pelzer Lower is a hydroelectric power plant in South Carolina with a nameplate capacity of 3.3 MW. It generates roughly 4.6k MWh per year — enough to power about 438 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 16% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Pelzer Lower |
|---|---|
| Operator | Central Rivers Power Us, Llc |
| City | Williamston |
| County | Anderson County |
| State | South Carolina |
| ZIP | 29627 |
| Coordinates | 34.61652, -82.44791 |
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 | 3.3 MW | Operating | 1989 |
| 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.