36 MW Hydro operating in Catawba, NC — Duke Energy Carolinas
36 MW
Nameplate Capacity
2
Generators
units
Conventional Hydroelectric
Technology
1928
Operating Since
Coordinates
35.8214, -81.1922
County
Catawba, NC
Nearby Plants
| Field | EIA | GEM | Wikidata |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operator | Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC | Duke Energy Carolinas | — |
| Owner(s) | Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC | Duke Energy | — |
| Status | Operating | — | — |
Oxford Dam is a 36 MW hydroelectric power plant located in Catawba County, North Carolina. The plant, which began operating in 1928, utilizes conventional hydroelectric technology and is owned and operated by Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC, a subsidiary of Duke Energy. It consists of two generators using water (WAT) as its primary fuel source. The plant operates within the Duke Energy Carolinas balancing authority and the SERC NERC region.
In the most recent year with available data, Oxford Dam generated 91,935 MWh of electricity, achieving a capacity factor of 29.0%. The plant's installed cost was $1,805.7 per kW, and it has a power purchase agreement (PPA) price of $25 per MWh. Oxford Dam is ranked as the 15th largest hydroelectric plant out of 39 in North Carolina, and 376th out of 1464 nationally.
Generated from EIA, GEM, and public data sources
NERC Region
SERC
Balancing Authority
Duke Energy Carolinas
Grid Voltage
44 kV
Regulatory Status
RE
Entity Type
Investor-Owned Utility
Sector
Electric Utility
9.5K MWh
Latest Month
91.9K MWh
Annual Generation
29.0%
Capacity Factor
$25.0/MWh
PPA Price
Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC
Contract Seller
Cumulative Installed Cost
Per-Unit Cost Trends
This plant is outside organized wholesale electricity markets (ISOs/RTOs). Nodal pricing data is not available.
Duke Energy Progress, LLC, Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC; Notice of Application of Transfer of License and Soliciting Comments, Motions To Intervene, and Protests
Duke Energy Progress, LLC; Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC; Notice of Application of Transfer of License and Soliciting Comments, Motions To Intervene, and Protests
Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC; Notice of Application Accepted for Filing, Soliciting Motions To Intervene and Protests, Ready for Environmental Analysis, and Soliciting Comments, Recommendations, Terms and Conditions, and Prescriptions
What It Takes To Operate 5,500 Megawatts of Renewable Energy
By Ben Williamson. When heavy rain threatens to swell the Catawba-Wateree River, Duke Energy must act quickly to help protect nearby communities.
Last updated 2026-03-25
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