Whitehorn — 169 MW Natural Gas

Ranked as the 1551st largest power generation facility in the United States, the Whitehorn facility plays a modest yet significant role in the regional energy landscape. Located in Washington state, Whitehorn has a generation capacity of 169.2 MW, primarily utilizing natural gas as its fuel source, and serves as a crucial component of the local grid. With an additional capacity from oil, this facility underscores the diverse fuel mix that characterizes the area. As the 788th largest gas plant in the country, its contribution, while relatively small at 0.01% of the national capacity, is vital for meeting local demand and ensuring grid reliability. Whitehorn is surrounded by several notable gas plants within a 50 km radius, including the Burrard facility with a capacity of 950 MW, Fredonia at 376 MW, and Ferndale Generating Station, which produces 285.5 MW. This concentration of gas-powered generation facilities enhances the regional energy cluster, providing a stable supply of electricity in an area where natural gas is a dominant resource. The Whitehorn plant’s capacity is comparable to the national average, demonstrating its alignment with the country’s energy profile, which boasts a total of 1,386,385 MW from 10,047 plants. The facilitation of gas as the primary fuel reflects the U.S. energy sector’s emphasis on cleaner-burning fossil fuels in recent years. Owned and operated by Puget Sound Energy Inc., Whitehorn was commissioned in 1980, marking over four decades of service. As the energy landscape evolves with increasing emphasis on sustainability, Whitehorn’s role may shift, but it remains a critical piece of the puzzle in the ongoing transition to more renewable energy sources. This plant not only contributes to local power generation but also supports economic activities in the region, ensuring that energy demands are met efficiently and reliably.