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350 MW Hydro operating in Lincoln, NC — Duke Energy Carolinas
350 MW
Nameplate Capacity
4
Generators
units
Conventional Hydroelectric
Technology
1963
Operating Since
Coordinates
35.4346, -80.9588
County
Lincoln, NC
Nearby Plants
| Field | EIA | GEM | Wikidata |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operator | Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC | Duke Energy Carolinas | — |
| Owner(s) | Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC | Duke Energy | Duke Energy |
| Status | Operating | operating | — |
Cowans Ford Hydroelectric Station is a hydroelectric power plant and dam located near Huntersville, North Carolina, approximately 20 miles north of Charlotte on Lake Norman. It is the largest conventional hydro station owned by Duke Energy, generating up to 350 MW of power.
Read more on WikipediaCowans Ford is a 350 MW conventional hydroelectric power plant located in Lincoln County, North Carolina. The plant began operating in 1963 and is owned and operated by Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC, a subsidiary of Duke Energy. It utilizes water as its primary fuel source and consists of four generators. Cowans Ford is the largest hydroelectric plant out of eight in North Carolina, and ranks 64th out of 194 hydroelectric plants nationally.
The plant operates within the Duke Energy Carolinas balancing authority and the SERC NERC region. In the most recent year with available data, Cowans Ford generated 182,023 MWh of electricity, resulting in a capacity factor of 5.9%. Financial data indicates an installed cost of $448.44 per kW and a power purchase agreement (PPA) price of $25 per MWh.
Generated from EIA, GEM, and public data sources
Grid Region
Southeast
Market
SEEM Participant
NERC Region
SERC — SERC Reliability Corporation
Balancing Authority
13.6K MWh
Latest Month
182.0K MWh
Annual Generation
5.9%
Capacity Factor
Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC · Data from 2015–2025
$25.0/MWh
PPA Price
Annual Capital & Operating Expenses
Cumulative Installed Cost
Per-Unit Cost Trends
This plant's balancing authority participates in the Southeast Energy Exchange Market (SEEM). SEEM is a bilateral exchange — no public nodal pricing.
Last updated 2026-03-14
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ask pi about Cowans FordDuke Energy Carolinas (DUK)
Grid Voltage
230.0 kV
Regulatory Status
RE — Regulated
Entity Type
Investor-Owned Utility
Sector
Electric Utility