Cowans Ford Hydroelectric Station
| Company type | Power plant |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hydroelectric power |
| Founded | 1963 |
| Headquarters | Huntersville , United States |
Area served | North Carolina |
| Products | Electricity (350 MW capacity) |
| Parent | Duke Energy |
Cowans Ford Hydroelectric Station is a hydroelectric power plant and dam situated near Huntersville, North Carolina, approximately 20 miles north of Charlotte, North Carolina on the shores of Lake Norman. It stands as Duke Energy's largest traditional hydroelectric facility, boasting a generation capacity of 350 MW.
The station began operations with three generating units in 1963, and a fourth unit was added in 1967. This plant delivers "peaking power," supplying extra electricity during times of elevated demand, such as during extreme summer heat or cold winter conditions.
The Cowans Ford Dam creates Lake Norman by impounding the Catawba River. Lake Norman is the largest man-made freshwater reservoir in North Carolina and serves as a water source for Lincoln County along with the towns of Davidson, Mooresville, Charlotte, and Huntersville. The lake is named in honor of Norman Cocke, a former president of Duke Power.