World Power Plants

The Rosemary Power Station, with a capacity of 180 MW, holds the 1498th rank among power generation facilities in the United States, and stands as the 43rd largest oil plant out of 879 in the country. Although it represents a mere 0.01% of the national total capacity of 1,386,385 MW, its operational significance is notable in Virginia's energy landscape. Commissioned in 1990 and operated by Virginia Electric & Power Co, Rosemary utilizes oil as its primary fuel source, a choice that reflects the historical energy practices in the region. Rosemary is situated in a region rich in gas-fired generation, with the nearby Greensville County Power Station boasting a substantial capacity of 1773.3 MW, and Brunswick County Power Station at 1472.2 MW. This concentration of gas facilities highlights the growing trend towards natural gas as the dominant fuel in the U.S., while Rosemary serves as a reminder of the continuing reliance on oil in certain contexts. Other nearby facilities include Gaston Hydro at 177.6 MW and Roanoke Rapids Hydro at 100 MW, showcasing a diverse energy mix within a short range. The presence of these plants illustrates an energy cluster that enhances grid reliability in Virginia, balancing the intermittent nature of renewable sources with stable fossil fuel production. As the country grapples with transitioning towards a more sustainable energy future, the role of oil plants like Rosemary, which have historically contributed to energy security, is being re-evaluated. Nonetheless, Rosemary's operation provides essential support to the local grid and underlines the complex dynamics of energy production in the U.S. The plant's location and technology choices are critical as the energy sector increasingly shifts towards cleaner alternatives. Nevertheless, it remains a vital part of the energy infrastructure, highlighting the balance between legacy fuel sources and the push for greener alternatives. As Virginia moves forward, Rosemary Power Station may continue to play a role in the transitional journey towards a more diversified energy future.

Capacity
180 MW
Commissioning Year
1990

36 years old

Owner
Virginia Electric & Power Co
Location
36.4517°, -77.6594°

United States of America, North America

Context & rankings
  • 1,549. largest of 10,098 plants in United States of America
  • #7,773 worldwide by installed capacity
  • #326 of 2,478 Oil plants worldwide
  • 0.01% of the installed capacity of United States of America
Age & fleet comparison

36 years in operation

Oil fleet average: 28.7 years

Operator portfolio

Virginia Electric & Power Co operates 38 plants totalling 23,066 MW

Regional density

169 plants within 100 km, 6,054 MW combined

Nearest plant: KapStone Kraft Paper Corp (3.2 km)

Location

Coordinates:: 36.451700, -77.659400
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Carbon Footprint650 g CO₂/kWh
Annual CO₂
358.7 Kt
552 GWh/year × 650 g/kWh
Cumulative CO₂
12.91 Mt
Over 36 years of operation
Past Retirement
2020
6 years past expected retirement
Annual emissions equivalent to
78.0K
cars per year
47.8K
homes per year
16.3M
trees to offset

Estimates based on Oil emission factor (650 g CO₂/kWh) and capacity factor (35%). Actual emissions may vary based on operating conditions, efficiency, and fuel quality.

Technical Details

Primary Fuel Type
Oil
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

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