World Power Plants

Nickajack is a 103.9 MW hydroelectric power plant located in Tennessee, United States. Operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority, it has been in operation since 1968 and utilizes water flow to generate electricity. It ranks as the 190th largest hydro plant in the United States. With a capacity of 103.9 MW, it represents 0.09% of the country's total hydro capacity of 117,947 MW. The United States has 1,469 hydro plants with a combined capacity of 117,947 MW. Compared to the largest hydro plant, Grand Coulee Dam at 6,809 MW, Nickajack is approximately 1.5% the size. Hydropower is a significant source of renewable energy in the United States, contributing about 8.5% of the total electricity generation. The Nickajack plant takes advantage of the Tennessee River's flow, which is vital for hydroelectric production in the region. It is located approximately 30 km east of Chattanooga in the southeastern United States.

Capacity
103.9 MW
Commissioning Year
1968

58 years old

Owner
Tennessee Valley Authority
Location
35.0017°, -85.6218°

United States of America, North America

Context & rankings
  • 2,066. largest of 10,098 plants in United States of America
  • #9,864 worldwide by installed capacity
  • #2,255 of 8,493 Hydroelectric plants worldwide
  • 0.01% of the installed capacity of United States of America
Age & fleet comparison

58 years in operation

Hydroelectric fleet average: 42.1 years

Operator portfolio

Tennessee Valley Authority operates 60 plants totalling 47,131 MW

Regional density

23 plants within 100 km, 11,509 MW combined

Nearest plant: Raccoon Mountain Pumped-Storage Plant (20.4 km)

Location

Coordinates:: 35.001700, -85.621800
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Carbon Footprint

Zero Direct Emissions

Nickajack is a hydro power plant producing approximately 364 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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