62nd largest plant in Tennessee · 5585th nationally
Wilbur is a hydroelectric power plant in Tennessee with a nameplate capacity of 10.6 MW. It generates roughly 13.4k MWh per year — enough to power about 1,278 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 14% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Wilbur |
|---|---|
| Operator | Tennessee Valley Authority |
| City | Elizabethon |
| County | Carter County |
| State | Tennessee |
| ZIP | 37643 |
| Coordinates | 36.34167, -82.12639 |
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 | 7.0 MW | Operating | 1950 |
| 1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 1.2 MW | Operating | 1912 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 1.2 MW | Operating | 1912 |
| 3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 1.2 MW | Operating | 1926 |
| NERC Region | SERC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Tennessee Valley Authority |
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.