The Willow Island hydroelectric facility is a 44-MW run-of-the-river hydroelectric power plant providing renewable generation to the region. The facility is located near St. Marys, West Virginia, on the Ohio River.
The Willow Island Hydroelectric Plant diverts water from the existing Corps Willow Island Locks and Dam through bulb turbines anticipated to generate an average annual output of approximately 239 million kilowatt-hours (kWh). The site includes an intake approach channel, a reinforced concrete powerhouse and a tailrace channel. The powerhouse contains two horizontal bulb-type turbine and generating units with an estimated total capacity of 44 MW at a gross head of 20 feet.
The Willow Island Locks and Dam are located in Pleasant County, West Virginia, approximately 162 river miles downstream of Point Bridge, Pittsburgh. The Willow Island plant is on the West Virginia side of the Ohio River, on the opposite shore of the locks.
Participation
There are 79 AMP member communities in Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky and Michigan receiving power from the Willow Island hydroelectric facility. The plant is part of the AMP Hydroelectric Phase 1 Project, which also includes the Cannelton and Smithland plants.
Construction
Excavation and cofferdam construction started in June 2011 and powerhouse construction began in December 2012. The plant reached full commercial operational in February 2016.