Smithland Hydroelectric Plant
The Smithland Hydroelectric Plant is a 76-megawatt (MW) run-of-the-river hydroelectric power plant providing renewable* generation to the region. It is part of the AMP Combined Hydroelectric Project.
Smithland Hydroelectric Plant
The Smithland Hydroelectric Plant diverts water from the existing U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Smithland Locks and Dam, located on the Ohio River near Smithland, Kentucky. The Smithland Hydroelectric Plant is located in Livingston County, Kentucky, approximately 62 river miles upstream of the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers.
The plant uses bulb turbines to generate an average annual output of approximately 379 million kilowatt-hours (kWh). The site includes an intake approach channel, a reinforced concrete powerhouse and a tailrace channel. The powerhouse contains three horizontal bulb-type turbine and generating units with an estimated total rated capacity of 76 MW at a gross head of 22 feet. A 2-mile-long, 161-kilovolt transmission line interconnection was developed to connect to Midcontinent Independent System Operation, a regional transmission organization in the Midwest.
Smithland by the Numbers
Participation
There are 79 American Municipal Power, Inc. (AMP) Member communities in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia receiving power from the Cannelton facility. The plant is part of the AMP Combined Hydroelectric Project, also known as AMP Phase 1 Hydroelectric Project, which also includes the Cannelton and Willow Island plants.
Construction
Excavation and cofferdam construction began in 2010 and powerhouse construction began in 2011. The plant reached full commercial operation in August 2017.
*Note that AMP, on behalf of its Members, sells all or a portion of the renewable energy certificates created by its renewable energy projects, power purchase agreements and joint ventures to help reduce its wholesale power costs.