World Power Plants

Ranking as the 1236th largest power generation facility in the United States, the Smarr Energy Center exemplifies the role of natural gas in the current energy landscape. With a capacity of 242 MW, it shares the rank of 690th among the 1883 gas plants nationwide. Owned by Oglethorpe Power Corporation and operational since 1999, this facility contributes a small but significant 0.02% to the national energy capacity of 1,386,385 MW. The Smarr Energy Center is situated in a region that includes several other notable plants, such as the Scherer coal plant, with a substantial output of 3564 MW, and other gas facilities like Robins (183.8 MW) and Lost Pines (609 MW). This clustering of diverse fuel types highlights the dynamic energy ecosystem of the area, where gas plays a pivotal role in both base-load and peak-load generation. In the context of the U.S. energy profile, where gas is the dominant fuel, the Smarr Energy Center stands as a reliable source of power, especially during peak demand periods. As the energy transition unfolds, the plant is poised to adapt to changing regulations and market dynamics. The operator, Oglethorpe Power Corporation, has been instrumental in ensuring that the facility operates efficiently while adhering to environmental standards. Looking ahead, the Smarr Energy Center's role may evolve as it potentially explores cleaner technologies or enhances its efficiency, contributing to a more sustainable energy future while maintaining its importance in the regional grid.

Capacity
242 MW
Commissioning Year
1999

27 years old

Owner
Oglethorpe Power Corporation
Location
32.9842°, -83.8464°

United States of America, North America

Context & rankings
  • 1,287. largest of 10,098 plants in United States of America
  • #6,787 worldwide by installed capacity
  • #2,483 of 5,146 Natural Gas plants worldwide
  • 0.02% of the installed capacity of United States of America
Age & fleet comparison

27 years in operation

Natural Gas fleet average: 26.9 years

Operator portfolio

Oglethorpe Power Corporation operates 9 plants totalling 5,382 MW

Regional density

49 plants within 100 km, 9,393 MW combined

Nearest plant: Scherer (9.2 km)

Location

Coordinates:: 32.984200, -83.846400
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Carbon Footprint490 g CO₂/kWh
Annual CO₂
467.4 Kt
954 GWh/year × 490 g/kWh
Cumulative CO₂
12.62 Mt
Over 27 years of operation
Closing Soon
2029
3 years remaining
Annual emissions equivalent to
101.6K
cars per year
62.3K
homes per year
21.2M
trees to offset

Estimates based on Gas emission factor (490 g CO₂/kWh) and capacity factor (45%). Actual emissions may vary based on operating conditions, efficiency, and fuel quality.

Technical Details

Primary Fuel Type
Gas
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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