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.
AMP developed and operates the generation facility on behalf of 42 member communities participating in Ohio Municipal Electric Generation Agency Joint Venture 5.
The Belleville Locks and Dam are 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.
The plant reached full commercial operation in 1999.
Learn more about OMEGA JV5
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.
These facilities have a combined capacity of more than 132 MW.
A new generation of hydroelectric facilities
AMP has developed four hydroelectric projects adding more than 300 MW of new, renewable generation to the region. These run-of-the-river hydroelectric facilities are installed on existing dams on the Ohio River.
For more information regarding hydroelectric power projects, please contact William Sandell, vice president of generation operations and development, at 614.540.6382 or [email protected].
Hydroelectric Projects
Phase 1 Hydroelectric Project
The AMP Phase I Hydroelectric Project includes the run-of-the-river generating facilities at the Cannelton, Smithland and Willow Island dams on the Ohio River. Seventy-nine AMP member communities are participating in the project.
The Project consists of three run-of-the-river hydroelectric generation facilities located on United States Army Corps of Engineers dams on the Ohio River and associated transmission facilities.
The Cannelton Hydroelectric Plant is located on the Kentucky shore of the Cannelton Locks and Dam on the Ohio River, utilizes three 29.3 MW turbines and has a total rated capacity of 88 MW. The first unit of the plant entered commercial operation in January 2016, the second unit entered commercial operation in March 2016 and the third and final unit entered commercial operation in June 2016.
The Smithland Hydroelectric Plant is located on the Kentucky shore of the Smithland Locks and Dam on the Ohio River, utilizes three 25.3 MW turbines and has a total rated capacity at 76 MW. The first and second units at the plant entered commercial operation in July 2017 and the third unit entered commercial operation in September 2017.
The Willow Island Hydroelectric Plant is located on the West Virginia shore of the Willow Island Locks and Dam on the Ohio River, utilizes two 22 MW turbines and has a total rated capacity of 44 MW. The first unit at the plant entered commercial operation in January 2016 and the second and final unit entered commercial operation in February 2016.
AMP holds the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) licenses necessary to operate each of the plants.
Cannelton
The Cannelton Hydroelectric Plant is an 88 MW run-of-the-river hydroelectric power plant providing renewable generation to the region. The facility is located on the Ohio River near Hawesville, Kentucky.
The Cannelton plant diverts water from the existing U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Cannelton Locks and Dam through 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 Cannelton Locks and Dam are located near Hawesville, Kentucky. The Cannelton 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 June 2016.
Smithland
The Smithland Hydroelectric Plant 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 plant diverts water from the existing U.S. Army Corps Smithland Locks and Dam through bulb turbines. 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. A 2-mile-long 161 kV transmission line interconnection connects the plant to MISO.
The Smithland Hydroelectric Plant is located approximately 62 river miles upstream of the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, in Livingston County, Ky. The 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.
Willow Island
The Willow Island Hydroelectric Plant is a 44 MW run-of-the-river hydroelectric power plant that provides renewable generation to the region. The facility is located near St. Marys, West Virginia, on the Ohio River.
The Willow Island plant diverts water from the existing U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Willow Island Locks and Dam through bulb turbines. The site includes an intake approach channel, a reinforced concrete powerhouse and a tailrace channel. The powerhouse includes two horizontal bulb-type turbine and generating units with an estimated total capacity of 44 MW.
The Willow Island Locks and Dam are located in Pleasants County, West Virginia, approximately 162 river miles downstream of Point Bridge, Pittsburgh. The Willow Island Hydroelectric Plant is on the West Virginia side of the Ohio River, on the opposite shore of the locks.
The plant reached full commercial operational in February 2016.
Meldahl
The Meldahl Hydroelectric Plant is a 105 MW run-of-the-river hydroelectric power plant 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 through 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. Forty-eight AMP member communities are participating in the Meldahl Project.
The plant reached full commercial operation in April 2016.
Greenup
The Greenup Hydroelectric Plant is a 70.2 MW power plant located near Portsmouth, Ohio. In connection with the development of the Meldahl Project, Hamilton agreed to sell and AMP agreed to purchase a 48.6 percent undivided ownership interest in the Greenup Hydroelectric Plant. Hamilton retains title to a 51.4 percent ownership interest in the Greenup Hydroelectric Plant. Forty-seven AMP member communities are participating in the Greenup Project.
* 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.