35th largest plant in South Carolina · 2689th nationally
Wateree Hydro is a hydroelectric power plant in South Carolina with a nameplate capacity of 90.5 MW. It generates roughly 201.3k MWh per year — enough to power about 19,168 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 25% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Wateree Hydro |
|---|---|
| Operator | Duke Energy Carolinas, Llc |
| City | Ridgeway |
| County | Kershaw County |
| State | South Carolina |
| ZIP | 29130 |
| Coordinates | 34.33550, -80.70210 |
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 | 18.1 MW | Operating | 1919 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 18.1 MW | Operating | 1919 |
| 3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 18.1 MW | Operating | 1919 |
| 4 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 18.1 MW | Operating | 1919 |
| 5 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 18.1 MW | Operating | 1919 |
| 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.