173rd largest plant in Virginia · 6987th nationally
Snowden is a hydroelectric power plant in Virginia with a nameplate capacity of 5.0 MW. It generates roughly 14.0k MWh per year — enough to power about 1,333 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 32% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Snowden |
|---|---|
| Operator | Town Of Bedford - (Va) |
| City | Big Island |
| County | Bedford County |
| State | Virginia |
| ZIP | 24526 |
| Coordinates | 37.57360, -79.37150 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 2.5 MW | Operating | 1987 |
| 5 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 2.5 MW | Operating | 1987 |
| NERC Region | RFC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Pjm Interconnection, Llc |
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.