18th largest plant in Kentucky · 1158th nationally
Wolf Creek is a hydroelectric power plant in Kentucky with a nameplate capacity of 270 MW. It generates roughly 470.5k MWh per year — enough to power about 44,807 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 20% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Wolf Creek |
|---|---|
| Operator | Usce-Nashville District |
| City | Jamestown |
| County | Russell County |
| State | Kentucky |
| ZIP | 42629 |
| Coordinates | 36.86910, -85.14700 |
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 45.0 MW | Operating | 1952 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 45.0 MW | Operating | 1952 |
| 3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 45.0 MW | Operating | 1952 |
| 4 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 45.0 MW | Operating | 1951 |
| 5 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 45.0 MW | Operating | 1951 |
| 6 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 45.0 MW | Operating | 1951 |
| 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.