30th largest plant in Kentucky · 2937th nationally
Smithland Hydroelectric Plant is a hydroelectric power plant in Kentucky with a nameplate capacity of 75.9 MW. It generates roughly 429.8k MWh per year — enough to power about 40,931 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 65% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Smithland Hydroelectric Plant |
|---|---|
| Operator | American Mun Power-Ohio, Inc |
| City | Smithland |
| County | Livingston County |
| State | Kentucky |
| ZIP | 42081 |
| Coordinates | 37.16964, -88.41952 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SG1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 25.3 MW | Operating | 2017 |
| SG2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 25.3 MW | Operating | 2017 |
| SG3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 25.3 MW | Operating | 2017 |
| NERC Region | SERC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Midcontinent Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc.. |
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.