Legality of Cannabis by U.S. Jurisdiction

Sources of Nebraska utility-scale electricity generation:
full-year 2022 [1]

  Coal (48.8%)
  Wind (31%)
  Nuclear (13.9%)
  Hydroelectric (3.1%)
  Natural Gas (2.6%)
  Solar (0.3%)
  Biomass (0.2%)

This is a list of electricity-generating power stations in the U.S. state of Nebraska, sorted by type and name. In 2021, Nebraska had a total summer capacity of 10,256 MW through all of its power plants, and a net generation of 40,479 GWh in 2022.[2] The corresponding electrical energy generation mix was 48.8% coal, 31% wind, 13.9% nuclear, 3.1% hydroelectric, 2.6% natural gas, 0.3% solar and 0.2% biomass. Distributed small-scale solar, including customer-owned photovoltaic panels, delivered 36 GWh to the state's electricity grid.[1]

Nebraska is the only state where all electricity utilities are publicly owned as municipal systems, public districts, or rural cooperatives. The state has few fossil-fuel reserves but has abundant renewable generation and agricultural resources. It is an increasing harvester of wind energy and a major producer of biofuels (primarily ethanol), with further potential for biomass generation. Nebraska has no renewable portfolio standard while supporting net metering. It was a top-ten state for per-capita energy consumption in 2019 due in large part to its energy-intensive agriculture, meat packing, and food processing industries. About 10% more electricity was generated than was consumed in-state.[3]

Nuclear power stations[edit]

Plant Location Coordinates Capacity
(MW)
Generation
Type
Year
Opened
Ref
Cooper Nuclear Station Nemaha County 40°21′46″N 95°38′27″W / 40.3628°N 95.6408°W / 40.3628; -95.6408 (Cooper Nuclear Station) 770 Steam Turbine 1974 [4]

Retired facilities:

Fossil-fuel power stations[edit]

Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration serves as a general reference.[5]

Coal[edit]

A useful map[6] of active and retiring coal generation plants is provided by the Sierra Club.

Plant Location Coordinates Capacity
(MW)
Generation
Type
Year
Opened
Scheduled
Retirement
Ref
ADM Columbus Platte County 41°24′59″N 97°17′11″W / 41.4164°N 97.2863°W / 41.4164; -97.2863 (ADM Columbus) 61 Steam Turbine 2010 TBD [7]
ADM Lincoln Lancaster County 40°51′59″N 96°36′52″W / 40.8665°N 96.6145°W / 40.8665; -96.6145 (ADM Lincoln) 7.9 Steam Turbine 1988 TBD [8]
Gerald Gentleman Station Lincoln County 41°04′51″N 101°08′27″W / 41.0808°N 101.1408°W / 41.0808; -101.1408 (Gerald Gentleman) 1362.6 Steam Turbine (x2) 1979 (Unit 1- 681.3MW)
1982 (Unit 2- 681.3MW)
TBD (Unit 1)
TBD (Unit 2)
[9][10]
Lon D. Wright Power Plant Dodge County 41°25′41″N 96°27′44″W / 41.4281°N 96.4623°W / 41.4281; -96.4623 (Lon Wright) 128.5 Steam Turbine (x3) 1957 (Unit 1- 15.5MW)
1963 (Unit 2- 21.0MW)
1976 (Unit 3- 82.0MW)
TBD (Unit 1)
TBD (Unit 2)
TBD (Unit 3)
[11]
Nebraska City Station Otoe County 40°37′17″N 95°46′35″W / 40.6214°N 95.7764°W / 40.6214; -95.7764 (Nebraska City) 1345.3 Steam Turbine (x2) 1979 (Unit 1- 654.3MW)
2009 (Unit 2- 691.0MW)
TBD (Unit 1)
TBD (Unit 2)
[9][12]
North Omaha Station Douglas County 41°19′45″N 95°56′41″W / 41.3291°N 95.9447°W / 41.3291; -95.9447 (North Omaha) 336.3 Steam Turbine (x2) 1954 (Unit 1- 64.8MW)
1957 (Unit 2- 90.8MW)
1959 (Unit 3- 86.0MW)
1963 (Unit 4- 120.1MW)
1968 (Unit 5- 216.2MW)
2016 (Unit 1- convert to ng)
2016 (Unit 2- convert to ng)
2016 (Unit 3- convert to ng)
2023 (Unit 4- convert to ng)
2023 (Unit 5- convert to ng)
[13]
Platte Generating Station Hall County 40°51′17″N 98°20′54″W / 40.8548°N 98.3482°W / 40.8548; -98.3482 (Platte) 100 Steam Turbine 1982 TBD [14]
Sheldon Power Station Lancaster County 40°33′32″N 96°47′05″W / 40.5589°N 96.7847°W / 40.5589; -96.7847 (Sheldon) 219 Steam Turbine (x2) 1961 (Unit 1- 104.0MW)
1965 (Unit 2- 115.0MW)
TBD (Unit 1)
TBD (Unit 2)
[9][15]
Western Sugar Cooperative Scottsbluff Scotts Bluff County 41°51′32″N 103°38′04″W / 41.8589°N 103.6344°W / 41.8589; -103.6344 (Western Sugar) 5.0 Steam Turbine 1987 TBD [16]
Whelan Energy Center Adams County 40°34′51″N 98°18′45″W / 40.5809°N 98.3124°W / 40.5809; -98.3124 (Whelan Energy Center) 309 Steam Turbine (x2) 1981 (Unit 1- 77.0MW)
2011 (Unit 2- 232.0MW)
TBD (Unit 1)
TBD (Unit 2)
[17]

Natural gas[edit]

Plant Location Coordinates Capacity
(MW)
Generation Type Year
Opened
Ref
Auburn Nemaha County 40°23′18″N 95°50′47″W / 40.3883°N 95.8464°W / 40.3883; -95.8464 (Auburn) 17.5 Reciprocating Engine (x6) 1949-1993
Beatrice Power Station Gage County 40°19′52″N 96°48′30″W / 40.3312°N 96.8082°W / 40.3312; -96.8082 (Beatrice) 220 3x1 Combined Cycle 2005
Broken Bow Custer County 41°24′11″N 99°38′21″W / 41.4031°N 99.6392°W / 41.4031; -99.6392 (Broken Bow) 7.2 Reciprocating Engine (x4) 1974
C.W. Burdick Power Plant Hall County 40°55′22″N 98°19′37″W / 40.9228°N 98.3269°W / 40.9228; -98.3269 (CW Burdick) 81.6 Simple Cycle (x3) 1968/2003
Canaday Station Gosper County 40°41′39″N 99°42′04″W / 40.6942°N 99.7011°W / 40.6942; -99.7011 (Canaday) 99.3 Steam Turbine 1958
Cass County Cass County 40°56′52″N 95°57′50″W / 40.9479°N 95.9640°W / 40.9479; -95.9640 (Cass County) 322.8 Simple Cycle (x2) 2003
Don Henry Adams County 40°35′00″N 98°25′12″W / 40.5832°N 98.4201°W / 40.5832; -98.4201 (Don Henry) 18.0 Simple Cycle 1972
Falls City Richardson County 40°03′18″N 95°36′30″W / 40.0550°N 95.6083°W / 40.0550; -95.6083 (Falls City) 26.7 Reciprocating Engine (x7) 1946-2018
Hallam Lancaster County 40°33′31″N 96°47′10″W / 40.5587°N 96.7862°W / 40.5587; -96.7862 (Hallam) 42.5 Simple Cycle 1973
J Street Lancaster County 40°48′28″N 96°42′39″W / 40.8079°N 96.7107°W / 40.8079; -96.7107 (J Street) 29.0 Simple Cycle 1972
Lon Wright
(Derril Marshall Generating Station)
Dodge County 41°25′41″N 96°28′00″W / 41.4281°N 96.4668°W / 41.4281; -96.4668 (Lon Wright) 38.0 Simple Cycle 2003
Nebraska City #1 Otoe County 40°40′50″N 95°50′51″W / 40.6806°N 95.8475°W / 40.6806; -95.8475 (Nebraska City 1) 21.6 Reciprocating Engine (x6) 1955-1979
Nebraska City #2 Otoe County 40°39′58″N 95°52′06″W / 40.6661°N 95.8683°W / 40.6661; -95.8683 (Nebraska City 2) 7.6 Reciprocating Engine (x2) 1998
North Denver Adams County 40°35′56″N 98°23′19″W / 40.5988°N 98.3886°W / 40.5988; -98.3886 (North Denver) 41.0 Steam Turbine (x2) 1957/1967
North Omaha Douglas County 41°19′45″N 95°56′41″W / 41.3291°N 95.9447°W / 41.3291; -95.9447 (North Omaha) 241.6 Steam Turbine (x3) 1954-1959 [13]
Rokeby Lancaster County 40°43′54″N 96°44′11″W / 40.7316°N 96.7364°W / 40.7316; -96.7364 (Rokeby) 255.1 Simple Cycle (x3) 1975/1997/2001
Sarpy County Sarpy County 41°10′14″N 95°58′14″W / 41.1706°N 95.9706°W / 41.1706; -95.9706 (Sarpy County) 314.9 Simple Cycle (x5) 1972/1996/2000
Terry Bundy Generating Station Lancaster County 40°54′35″N 96°36′47″W / 40.9097°N 96.6131°W / 40.9097; -96.6131 (Terry Bundy GS) 121.9 3x1 Combined Cycle
Simple Cycle
2004 (77.4MW)
2003 (45.5MW)
Wahoo Saunders County 41°12′42″N 96°36′42″W / 41.2118°N 96.6116°W / 41.2118; -96.6116 (Wahoo) 13.2 Reciprocating Engine (x5) 1947-1973

Petroleum[edit]

Plant Location Coordinates Capacity
(MW)
Generation Type Year
Opened
Ref
Hebron Thayer County 40°11′16″N 97°34′40″W / 40.1879°N 97.5779°W / 40.1879; -97.5779 (Hebron) 41.5 Simple Cycle 1973
Jones Street Douglas County 41°15′05″N 95°55′22″W / 41.2515°N 95.9227°W / 41.2515; -95.9227 (Jones Street) 122.6 Simple Cycle (x2) 1973
Kimball Kimball County 41°14′18″N 103°40′00″W / 41.2382°N 103.6667°W / 41.2382; -103.6667 (Kimball) 7.6 Reciprocating Engine (x6) 1944-1974
McCook Red Willow County 40°13′17″N 100°39′03″W / 40.2214°N 100.6508°W / 40.2214; -100.6508 (McCook) 42.7 Simple Cycle 1973
Ord Valley County 41°36′15″N 98°55′34″W / 41.6042°N 98.9261°W / 41.6042; -98.9261 (Ord) 10.8 Reciprocating Engine (x5) 1963-1997
Tecumseh Johnson County 40°21′59″N 96°11′24″W / 40.3664°N 96.1900°W / 40.3664; -96.1900 (Tecumseh) 6.6 Reciprocating Engine (x5) 1944-1974
Wayne Wayne County 42°13′40″N 97°01′06″W / 42.2278°N 97.0183°W / 42.2278; -97.0183 (Wayne) 20.2 Reciprocating Engine (x8) 1947-1998

Renewable power stations[edit]

Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration serves as a general reference.[5]

Biomass[edit]

Name Location Coordinates Capacity
(MW)
Fuel
Type
Generation
Type
Year
Opened
Ref
Elk City Station Douglas County 41°23′02″N 96°15′16″W / 41.3839°N 96.2544°W / 41.3839; -96.2544 (Elk City Station) 6.4 Landfill gas Reciprocating Engine (x8) 2002/2006
Missouri River WWTP Douglas County 41°12′12″N 95°55′45″W / 41.2033°N 95.9292°W / 41.2033; -95.9292 (Missouri River WWTP) 3.0 Biogas Reciprocating Engine (x3) 1985/2001
Papillion Creek WWTP Sarpy County 41°04′38″N 95°52′12″W / 41.0772°N 95.8700°W / 41.0772; -95.8700 (Papillion Creek WWTP) 1.5 Biogas Reciprocating Engine (x3) 1987
Terry Bundy GS Lancaster County 40°54′35″N 96°36′47″W / 40.9097°N 96.6131°W / 40.9097; -96.6131 (Terry Bundy GS) 4.8 Landfill gas Reciprocating Engine (x3) 2014

Geothermal[edit]

There were no utility-scale geothermal power facilities in the state of Nebraska in 2019.

Hydroelectric[edit]

Kearney canal and dam, Nebraska's oldest hydroelectric dam since 1886.[A] The facility was upgraded to include the circular tower powerhouse in 1921.
Spalding sluice gate, headrace and powerhouse components of Nebraska's longest continuously operating power plant since 1919.
Plant Location Coordinates Capacity
(MW)
Number of
Turbines
Year
Opened
Ref
Columbus Platte County 41°27′50″N 97°19′42″W / 41.4639°N 97.3283°W / 41.4639; -97.3283 (Columbus Hydro) 45.0 3 1936
Gavins Point Cedar County 42°50′56″N 97°28′53″W / 42.8488°N 97.4815°W / 42.8488; -97.4815 (Gavins Point Hydro) 102.0 3 1956
Jeffrey Lincoln County 40°57′34″N 100°23′52″W / 40.9594°N 100.3979°W / 40.9594; -100.3979 (Jeffrey Hydro) 21.0 2 1941
Johnson 1 Gosper County 40°41′37″N 99°49′04″W / 40.6936°N 99.8178°W / 40.6936; -99.8178 (Johnson 1 Hydro) 20.0 2 1941
Johnson 2 Gosper County 40°41′02″N 99°44′41″W / 40.6839°N 99.7447°W / 40.6839; -99.7447 (Johnson 2 Hydro) 22.5 1 1941
Kearney[A] Buffalo County 40°42′13″N 99°06′03″W / 40.7035°N 99.1008°W / 40.7035; -99.1008 (Kearney Hydro) 1.0 1 1921
Kingsley Keith County 41°12′41″N 101°40′05″W / 41.2114°N 101.6681°W / 41.2114; -101.6681 (Kingsley Hydro) 41.0 1 1984
Monroe Platte County 41°29′14″N 97°36′28″W / 41.4872°N 97.6078°W / 41.4872; -97.6078 (Monroe Hydro) 3.0 3 1936
North Platte Lincoln County 41°05′11″N 100°45′34″W / 41.0864°N 100.7594°W / 41.0864; -100.7594 (North Platte Hydro) 24.0 2 1935
Spalding Greeley County 41°40′53″N 98°22′03″W / 41.6814°N 98.3676°W / 41.6814; -98.3676 (Spalding Hydro) 0.2 2 1919/1956

A Kearney canal and dam were completed in 1886, water powered a DC current dynamo by 1889, and an elegant brick powerhouse was constructed in 1890 that also housed a steam engine along with an 800 horsepower turbine. The early system delivered lighting to the city of Kearney and powered a trolley system, but suffered from various equipment and water-delivery issues that persisted after the shift to AC alternating current. Major reworking of bulkhead, penstock and powerhouse components were completed in 1921. The historic powerhouse was ultimately demolished in 2007.[18][19]

Solar[edit]

Project Name Location Coordinates Capacity
(MWAC)
Year
Opened
Ref
City of Lexington Dawson County 40°45′25″N 99°44′02″W / 40.7570°N 99.7340°W / 40.7570; -99.7340 (City of Lexington Solar) 3.6 2017
Fort Calhoun Washington County 41°31′14″N 96°04′39″W / 41.5205°N 96.0775°W / 41.5205; -96.0775 (Fort Calhoun Solar) 5.0 2019
Hastings Adams County 40°36′07″N 98°26′13″W / 40.6020°N 98.4370°W / 40.6020; -98.4370 (Hastings Solar) 1.5 2019
Holdrege Lancaster County 40°49′29″N 96°49′13″W / 40.8247°N 96.8203°W / 40.8247; -96.8203 (Holdrege Solar) 4.0 2016
Kearney Buffalo County 40°43′18″N 99°02′28″W / 40.7217°N 99.0412°W / 40.7217; -99.0412 (Kearney Solar) 5.8 2017
Lon Wright Dodge County 41°25′41″N 96°27′44″W / 41.4281°N 96.4623°W / 41.4281; -96.4623 (Lon Wright Solar) 2.3 2018
South Sioux City Dakota County 42°27′31″N 96°26′23″W / 42.4585°N 96.4397°W / 42.4585; -96.4397 (South Sioux City Solar) 2.3 2016

Wind[edit]

Additional data reported by the United States Wind Turbine Database[20]
Project Name Location Coordinates Capacity
(MW)
Number of
Turbines
Year
Opened
Ref
Ainsworth Wind Brown County 42°26′56″N 99°53′30″W / 42.4489°N 99.8917°W / 42.4489; -99.8917 (Ainsworth Wind) 59.4 43 2005
Broken Bow Wind Custer County 41°27′17″N 99°34′05″W / 41.4547°N 99.5681°W / 41.4547; -99.5681 (Broken Bow Wind) 152.9 50 2012/2014
Cottonwood Wind Webster County 40°14′25″N 98°24′22″W / 40.2402°N 98.4060°W / 40.2402; -98.4060 (Cottonwood Wind) 89.7 40 2017
Crofton Bluffs Wind Knox County 42°41′54″N 97°34′48″W / 42.6983°N 97.5800°W / 42.6983; -97.5800 (Crofton Bluffs Wind) 40.0 22 2012
Elkhorn Ridge Wind Knox County 42°41′52″N 97°37′08″W / 42.6978°N 97.6189°W / 42.6978; -97.6189 (Elkhorn Ridge Wind) 81.0 27 2009
Flat Water Wind Richardson County 40°00′04″N 95°55′44″W / 40.0011°N 95.9289°W / 40.0011; -95.9289 (Flat Water Wind) 60.0 40 2010
Grande Prairie Wind Farm Holt County 42°36′29″N 98°25′42″W / 42.6081°N 98.4283°W / 42.6081; -98.4283 (Grand Prairie Wind) 400.0 200 2016
Kimball Wind Kimball County 41°16′25″N 103°41′54″W / 41.2736°N 103.6983°W / 41.2736; -103.6983 (Kimball Wind) 30.0 12 2018
Laredo Ridge Wind Boone County 41°52′49″N 98°01′26″W / 41.8803°N 98.0239°W / 41.8803; -98.0239 (Laredo Ridge Wind) 79.9 54 2011
Lon Wright Wind Dodge County 41°25′41″N 96°27′44″W / 41.4281°N 96.4623°W / 41.4281; -96.4623 (Lon Wright Wind) 40.9 19 2017
Prairie Breeze Wind Antelope County 41°57′06″N 98°04′36″W / 41.9517°N 98.0767°W / 41.9517; -98.0767 (Prairie Breeze Wind) 215.7 179 2014/2015/2016
Rattlesnake Creek Wind Dixon County 42°22′26″N 96°49′44″W / 42.3740°N 96.8290°W / 42.3740; -96.8290 (Rattlesnake Creek Wind) 318.1 101 2019
Sholes Wind Wayne County 42°18′43″N 97°21′53″W / 42.3119°N 97.3647°W / 42.3119; -97.3647 (Sholes Wind) 160.0 71 2019
Steele Flats Wind Jefferson County 40°02′56″N 96°57′44″W / 40.0489°N 96.9622°W / 40.0489; -96.9622 (Steele Flats Wind) 74.8 44 2013
TPW Petersburg Wind Boone County 41°51′53″N 97°57′40″W / 41.8646°N 97.9612°W / 41.8646; -97.9612 (TPW Petersburg Wind) 40.5 27 2011
Upstream Wind Antelope County 42°11′03″N 97°57′54″W / 42.1843°N 97.9650°W / 42.1843; -97.9650 (Upstream Wind) 202.5 81 2018

Storage power stations[edit]

There were no utility-scale storage power stations in the state of Nebraska in 2019.

HVDC converter stations[edit]

Project Name Location Coordinates Capacity
(MW)
Voltage
(kV)
Year
Opened
Ref
David A. Hamil Converter Station Scotts Bluff County 41°49′15″N 103°56′32″W / 41.8208°N 103.9422°W / 41.8208; -103.9422 (David Hamil HVDC) 100 50 1977 [21]
Virginia Smith Converter Station Cheyenne County 41°09′51″N 102°59′15″W / 41.1642°N 102.9875°W / 41.1642; -102.9875 (Virginia Smith HVDC) 200 50 1988 [21][22]

Utilities[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Electricity Data Browser, Net generation for all sectors, Nebraska, Fuel Type-Check all, Annual, 2001–22". www.eia.gov. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  2. ^ "Nebraska Electricity Profile". U.S. Energy Information Administration. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  3. ^ "Nebraska Electricity Profile Analysis". U.S. EIA. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  4. ^ "Cooper Nuclear Station". Entergy. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  5. ^ a b Energy Information Administration (September 15, 2020). "Form EIA-860 detailed data with previous form data (EIA-860A/860B)". eia.gov. Archived from the original on September 18, 2020.
  6. ^ Sierra Club - Beyond Coal
  7. ^ Jim Osborn (February 17, 2016). "Future of ADM dry mill under review". The Columbus Telegram.
  8. ^ "Archer Daniels Midland Lincoln Power Plant". Global Energy Monitor. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  9. ^ a b c "Coal Generation". Nebraska Public Power District. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  10. ^ "Gerald Gentleman Station". Global Energy Monitor. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  11. ^ "Lon Wright Power Plant". Global Energy Monitor. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  12. ^ "Nebraska City Station". Global Energy Monitor. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  13. ^ a b "North Omaha Station". Global Energy Monitor. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  14. ^ "Platte Generating Station". Global Energy Monitor. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  15. ^ "Sheldon Station". Global Energy Monitor. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  16. ^ "Scottsbluff, NE Manufacturing Facility". Western Sugar Cooperative. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  17. ^ "Whelan Energy Center". Global Energy Monitor. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  18. ^ Sarah Goboney (December 6, 2009). "Powerhouse modernized Kearney". kearneyhub.com.
  19. ^ "Historical Nebraska - Buffalo County - Kearney". University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  20. ^ "The U.S. Wind Turbine Database". U.S. Geological Survey. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  21. ^ a b "Energy Education: DC ties serve critical role in connecting the grid". www.nmppenergy.org. June 1, 2018. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  22. ^ "Milestones:Virginia Smith High-Voltage Direct-Current Converter Station, 1988". Engineering and Technology History Wiki. Retrieved March 12, 2021.