147th largest plant in South Carolina · 9890th nationally
Saluda Dam is a hydroelectric power plant in South Carolina with a nameplate capacity of 2.4 MW. It generates roughly 6.2k MWh per year — enough to power about 591 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 30% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Saluda Dam |
|---|---|
| Operator | Northbrook Carolina Hydro Llc |
| City | Greenville |
| County | Greenville County |
| State | South Carolina |
| ZIP | 29611 |
| Coordinates | 34.85222, -82.48396 |
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 | 0.6 MW | Operating | 1996 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 0.6 MW | Operating | 1996 |
| 3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 0.6 MW | Operating | 1996 |
| 4 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 0.6 MW | Operating | 1996 |
| 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.