AMP has developed multiple hydroelectric projects in the region, representing one of the largest deployments of clean, renewable run-of-the-river hydroelectric generation in the country.
Leading the Way in Hydroelectric Power
Hydroelectric power is the most prevalent form of renewable energy* used to generate electricity today. Hydroelectric generation is far more dependable than other forms of renewable generation.
National Hydropower Association Video
The Belleville Hydroelectric Facility
The Belleville Hydroelectric Plant is a 42-megawatt (MW) run-of-the-river hydroelectric power plant providing renewable generation to the region. The Belleville plant diverts water from the existing U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Belleville Locks and Dam, located near Belleville, West Virginia, southwest of Marietta, Ohio. The Belleville Hydroelectric Plant is on the West Virginia side of the Ohio River, on the opposite shore of the locks.
AMP developed and operates the generation facility on behalf of 42 member communities participating in Ohio Municipal Electric Generation Agency (OMEGA) Joint Venture 5 (JV5). In addition to the Belleville Hydroelectric Plant, OMEGA JV5 consists of approximately 26.5 miles of 138-kilovolt transmission facilities.
The plant reached full commercial operation in 1999.
Learn more about the Belleville Hydroelectric Plant and OMEGA JV5.
Hydroelectric Projects
AMP Combined Hydroelectric Project
The AMP Combined Hydroelectric Project consists of three run-of-the-river generating facilities and associated transmission facilities. The Cannelton, Smithland and Willow Island plants are located on United States Army Corps of Engineers dams on the Ohio River. Seventy-nine AMP member communities are participating in the project.
AMP holds the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) licenses necessary to operate each of the plants.
Cannelton Hydroelectric Plant
Located on the Kentucky shore of the Cannelton Locks and Dam on the Ohio River near Hawesville, Kentucky, the Cannelton Hydroelectric Plant is an 88-MW run-of-the-river hydroelectric power plant providing renewable generation to the region.
The Cannelton plant diverts water from the existing U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Cannelton Locks and Dam utilizing three 29.3-MW bulb turbines. 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.
The plant reached full commercial operation in June 2016.
Learn more about the Cannelton Hydroelectric Plant.
Smithland Hydroelectric Plant
Located on the Kentucky shore of the Smithland Locks and Dam on the Ohio River near Smithland, Kentucky, the Smithland Hydroelectric Plant is a 76-MW run-of-the-river hydroelectric power plant providing renewable generation to the region.
The plant diverts water from the existing U.S. Army Corps of the Smithland Locks and Dam using three 25.3-MW bulb turbines. The site includes an intake approach channel, a reinforced concrete powerhouse and a tailrace channel.
The Smithland Hydroelectric Plant is located approximately 62 river miles upstream of the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, in Livingston County, Kentucky.
The plant reached full commercial operation in September 2017.
Learn more about the Smithland Hydroelectric Plant.
Willow Island Hydroelectric Plant
Located on the West Virginia shore of the Willow Island Locks and Dam on the Ohio River near St. Marys, West Virginia, in Pleasants County, the Willow Island Hydroelectric Plant is a 44-MW run-of-the-river hydroelectric power plant that provides renewable generation to the region.
The Willow Island plant diverts water from the existing U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Willow Island Locks and Dam, using two 22-MW turbines. The site, located approximately 162 river miles downstream of Point Bridge, Pittsburgh, includes an intake approach channel, a reinforced concrete powerhouse and a tailrace channel. The powerhouse includes two horizontal bulb-type turbines and generating units.
The plant reached full commercial operation in February 2016.
Learn more about the Willow Island Hydroelectric Plant.
Greenup
The Greenup Hydroelectric Plant is a three-turbine, 70.2-MW run-of-the-river hydroelectric power plant and associated transmission facilities located on the Ohio River at the Greenup Locks and Dam, near the Village of Franklin Furnace, Ohio. Forty-seven AMP member communities are participating in the Greenup Project.
The plant became operational in 1982.
In connection with the development of the Meldahl Project, the City of Hamilton agreed to sell, and AMP agreed to purchase, a 48.6 percent undivided ownership interest in the Greenup Hydroelectric Facility. Hamilton retains title to a 51.4 percent ownership interest in Greenup.
Meldahl
AMP owns and, together with the City of Hamilton, Ohio, developed and constructed the Meldahl Hydroelectric Plant, a 105-MW run-of-the-river hydroelectric power plant and associated transmission facilities providing renewable generation to the region. The facility is the largest hydroelectric power plant on the Ohio River.
The Meldahl plant diverts water from the existing U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Meldahl Locks and Dam. Located near Maysville, Kentucky, approximately an hour southeast of Cincinnati, the site includes an intake approach channel, a reinforced concrete powerhouse and a tailrace channel. The powerhouse contains three 35-MW, horizontal bulb-type turbine generators. Forty-eight AMP member communities are participating in the Meldahl Project.
The plant reached full commercial operation in April 2016.
Learn more about the Meldahl Hydroelectric Plant.
Member-operated Hydroelectric
Eight AMP member communities operate locally owned hydroelectric facilities. These include the cities of Columbus, Bryan and Hamilton in Ohio; Bedford, Danville and Martinsville in Virginia; Marshall in Michigan; and New Martinsville in West Virginia.
* 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.