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Smithland Hydro Plant

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The Smithland Hydroelectric Project is a 76 MW run-of-the-river hydroelectric power plant providing renewable generation to the region. The plant is located near Smithland, Kentucky.

The Smithland Project diverts water from the existing U.S. Army Corps Smithland Locks and Dam through bulb turbines anticipated 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 houses three horizontal bulb-type turbine and generating units with an estimated total rated capacity of 76 MW. A 2-mile-long 161 kV transmission line interconnection connects the plant to MISO.

Smithland is located approximately 62 river miles upstream of the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, in Livingston County, Ky. The Smithland hydroelectric plant is on the Kentucky side of the Ohio River, on the opposite shore of the locks.

The plant reached full commercial operation in September, 2017.