18th largest plant in Georgia · 579th nationally
Richard B Russell is a hydroelectric power plant in Georgia with a nameplate capacity of 628 MW. It generates roughly 330.6k MWh per year — enough to power about 31,488 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 6% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Richard B Russell |
|---|---|
| Operator | Usce-Savannah District |
| City | Elberton |
| County | Elbert County |
| State | Georgia |
| ZIP | 30635 |
| Coordinates | 34.02560, -82.59530 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Hydroelectric Pumped Storage | Water | 82.0 MW | Out of Service | 2002 |
| 6 | Hydroelectric Pumped Storage | Water | 82.0 MW | Operating | 2002 |
| 7 | Hydroelectric Pumped Storage | Water | 82.0 MW | Operating | 2002 |
| 8 | Hydroelectric Pumped Storage | Water | 82.0 MW | Out of Service | 2002 |
| 1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 75.0 MW | Operating | 1985 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 75.0 MW | Operating | 1985 |
| 3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 75.0 MW | Operating | 1985 |
| 4 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 75.0 MW | Operating | 1986 |
| NERC Region | SERC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Southeastern Power Administration |
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.