108th largest plant in Vermont · 12057th nationally
West Charleston is a hydroelectric power plant in Vermont with a nameplate capacity of 1.4 MW. It generates roughly 6.3k MWh per year — enough to power about 603 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 52% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | West Charleston |
|---|---|
| Operator | Barton Village, Inc |
| City | West Charleston |
| County | Orleans County |
| State | Vermont |
| ZIP | 05872 |
| Coordinates | 44.88738, -72.05536 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IC3 | Petroleum Liquids | Distillate Oil | 1.4 MW | Retired | 1956 |
| IC4 | Petroleum Liquids | Distillate Oil | 1.4 MW | Retired | 1956 |
| 1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 0.7 MW | Operating | 1931 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 0.7 MW | Operating | 1948 |
| NERC Region | NPCC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Iso New England 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.