Overview
E B Harris Electric Generating Plant is a 1,304 MW gas-fired power station in Alabama, United States, owned by Southern Power Co. It operates as a key electricity generation asset in the region.
E B Harris Electric Generating Plant is a gas-fired power generation facility located in Alabama, United States. With a capacity of 1,304 MW, it is a large-scale plant within the U.S. power generation sector, contributing to the regional electricity grid. The plant is owned by Southern Power Co and is currently operational. The plant operates on natural gas, a fuel type that offers lower CO2 emissions compared to coal but still requires compliance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations under the Clean Air Act, including New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) and the Acid Rain Program. As a gas-fired facility, it likely uses combined-cycle or simple-cycle technology, which influences its efficiency and environmental footprint. E B Harris Electric Generating Plant plays a significant role in meeting electricity demand in Alabama and the broader Southeastern U.S. Its location near Montgomery and the Alabama River provides access to cooling water and natural gas pipelines. The plant's operation supports grid reliability and economic activity in the region.
Environmental context
The plant's gas-fired operation results in lower sulfur dioxide (SO2) and particulate matter emissions compared to coal plants, but it still emits nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon dioxide (CO2). Its proximity to populated areas necessitates adherence to EPA National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone and fine particulates. The facility's age and technology type (likely combined-cycle) influence its overall environmental performance.
Frequently asked questions
E B Harris Electric Generating Plant is located in Alabama, United States, near the Alabama River at coordinates 32.3814, -86.5744.
The plant has a capacity of 1,304 megawatts (MW), making it a large-scale gas-fired power station.
The plant is owned by Southern Power Co, a subsidiary of Southern Company.
Gas power plants in the U.S. must comply with the Clean Air Act, including New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for greenhouse gases, the Acid Rain Program for SO2 and NOx, and state-level air quality permits.
The plant provides baseload or peaking power to the Alabama grid, supporting electricity reliability for residential, commercial, and industrial customers in the region.