89th largest plant in North Carolina · 3784th nationally
Santeetlah is a hydroelectric power plant in North Carolina with a nameplate capacity of 45.0 MW. It generates roughly 161.4k MWh per year — enough to power about 15,369 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 41% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Santeetlah |
|---|---|
| Operator | Brookfield Smoky Mountain Hydropower Lp |
| City | Robbinsville |
| County | Graham County |
| State | North Carolina |
| ZIP | 28771 |
| Coordinates | 35.44750, -83.86389 |
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 | 22.5 MW | Operating | 1928 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 22.5 MW | Operating | 1928 |
| 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.