World Power Plants

Bankhead Dam53.9 MW Hydroelectric

HydroRenewableVerified: Jul 2026

Bankhead Dam is a 53.9 MW hydroelectric power plant in the United States, operated by Alabama Power Co and commissioned in 1963. Ranked #297 of 1,469 hydro plants in the United States. Its 53.9 MW accounts for 0.05% of the United States' total hydro capacity of 117,947 MW. The largest hydro plant in the United States is Grand Coulee Dam at 6,809 MW, making this facility 126.5 times smaller. Nearby plants within 50 km include James H Miller Jr (2,822 MW, Coal) and Holt Dam (46.9 MW, Hydro). The facility is located in Alabama, approximately 80 km northwest of Birmingham.

Capacity
53.9 MW
Commissioning Year
1963

63 years old

Owner
Alabama Power Co
Location
33.4587°, -87.3568°

United States of America, North America

Context & rankings
  • 2,856. largest of 10,098 plants in United States of America
  • #12,846 worldwide by installed capacity
  • #3,104 of 8,493 Hydroelectric plants worldwide
Age & fleet comparison

63 years in operation

Hydroelectric fleet average: 42.1 years

Operator portfolio

Alabama Power Co operates 25 plants totalling 12,913 MW

Regional density

12 plants within 100 km, 8,284 MW combined

Nearest plant: Holt Dam (24.2 km)

Location

Coordinates:: 33.458700, -87.356800
Open in Google Maps
Carbon Footprint

Zero Direct Emissions

Bankhead Dam is a hydro power plant producing approximately 189 GWh of clean electricity per year with zero direct CO₂ emissions during operation.

Lifecycle emissions: ~24 g CO₂/kWh (manufacturing, transport, decommissioning)

Technical Details

Primary Fuel Type
Hydro
Energy Source
Renewable
Country
United States of America
Continent
North America
Data Source
Global Power Plant Database

United States of AmericaEnergy Profile

10,098
Total Plants
1420.7 GW
Total Capacity
GasCoalNuclearWind
Top Fuels

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