World Power Plants

Ray D Nixon is a pivotal coal-fired power generation facility located in the United States, specifically at coordinates 38.6335, -104.7058, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. With a capacity of 282.6 MW, this power plant has been a significant contributor to the local energy grid since its commissioning in 1985. The plant primarily utilizes coal as its fuel source, complemented by oil and gas as secondary and tertiary fuels, respectively. This tri-fuel capability allows for flexibility in operation and energy generation, ensuring consistent power supply even during fluctuations in fuel availability. As part of the energy mix of Colorado Springs, Ray D Nixon plays an essential role in meeting the electricity needs of the area, particularly during peak demand periods. The importance of this plant is underscored by its operation under the City of Colorado Springs, which aims to provide reliable energy while balancing economic and environmental considerations. In recent years, there has been a shift in energy policy across the United States toward renewable sources and reduced carbon emissions, which places conventional coal plants like Ray D Nixon under scrutiny. However, this facility remains a crucial asset in the region's energy infrastructure as efforts to transition to cleaner energy sources continue.

Capacity
282.6 MW
Commissioning Year
1985

41 years old

Owner
City of Colorado Springs - (CO)
Location
38.6335°, -104.7058°

United States of America, North America

Context & rankings
  • 1,186. largest of 10,098 plants in United States of America
  • #6,327 worldwide by installed capacity
  • #1,917 of 2,793 Coal plants worldwide
  • 0.02% of the installed capacity of United States of America
Age & fleet comparison

41 years in operation

Coal fleet average: 29.2 years

Operator portfolio

City of Colorado Springs - (CO) operates 8 plants totalling 1,384 MW

Regional density

30 plants within 100 km, 5,081 MW combined

Nearest plant: Front Range Power Plant (0.6 km)

Location

Coordinates:: 38.633500, -104.705800
Open in Google Maps
Carbon Footprint820 g CO₂/kWh
Annual CO₂
1.12 Mt
1362 GWh/year × 820 g/kWh
Cumulative CO₂
45.78 Mt
Over 41 years of operation
Past Retirement
2025
1 years past expected retirement
Annual emissions equivalent to
242.7K
cars per year
148.9K
homes per year
50.7M
trees to offset

Estimates based on Coal emission factor (820 g CO₂/kWh) and capacity factor (55%). Actual emissions may vary based on operating conditions, efficiency, and fuel quality.

Technical Details

Primary Fuel Type
Coal
Energy Source
Non-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

See Incorrect or Missing Data?

Help us improve our database by reporting any corrections or updates. Your contribution helps keep our global power plant data accurate and up-to-date.