205th largest plant in South Carolina · 12583rd nationally
Upper Pacolet Hydro is a hydroelectric power plant in South Carolina with a nameplate capacity of 1.1 MW. It generates roughly 3.7k MWh per year — enough to power about 350 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 38% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Upper Pacolet Hydro |
|---|---|
| Operator | Lockhart Power Co |
| City | Pacolet |
| County | Spartanburg County |
| State | South Carolina |
| ZIP | 29372 |
| Coordinates | 34.92139, -81.74556 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UP1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 1.1 MW | Operating | 2013 |
| 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.