Gaston — 178 MW Hydroelectric

Ranked as the 1509th largest among the 10,047 power generation facilities in the United States, the Gaston hydroelectric facility holds a unique position in Virginia’s energy landscape. With a capacity of 177.6 MW, it stands out as the 112th largest hydro plant out of 1,469 in the country. Commissioned in 1963 and operated by Virginia Electric & Power Co, Gaston plays a crucial role in the region’s energy mix, contributing to the state’s hydroelectric generation while being surrounded by a predominately gas-powered landscape. Nearby facilities such as the Greensville County Power Station, with its substantial capacity of 1,773.3 MW, and the Brunswick County Power Station, generating 1,472.2 MW, highlight the dominance of natural gas in the area. The presence of the Rosemary Power Station, which operates on oil and has a capacity of 180 MW, alongside hydro generation at the Roanoke Rapids plant (100 MW), establishes a diverse energy cluster, although gas remains the predominant fuel type. This hydro facility represents a mere 0.01% of the national capacity, underscoring the vast scale of the U.S. energy sector, which boasts a total capacity of 1,386,385 MW. The plant’s significance is amplified by its contribution to renewable energy objectives in Virginia, especially as the state moves towards a more sustainable energy future. As the country transitions towards cleaner energy sources, the Gaston facility exemplifies the importance of hydropower in balancing the energy grid and reducing carbon emissions. Overall, while it may rank low in national capacity terms, Gaston’s historical and ongoing contribution to renewable energy generation is vital in the context of Virginia’s energy ambitions.