Bad Creek Hydroelectric Station

The Bad Creek Hydroelectric Station is a pumped-storage hydroelectric power station located 8 mi north of Salem in Oconee County, South Carolina. The 1065 MW power plant is owned by Duke Energy and its last generator was commissioned in 1991. The power station generates electricity by shifting water between an upper and lower reservoir. The upper Bad Creek Reservoir was created by damming Bad Creek and West Bad Creek while Lake Jocassee serves as the lower reservoir. During periods of low energy demand, the four 266 MW Francis pump turbines pump water from Lake Jocassee which lies at an elevation of 1110 ft to the Bad Creek Reservoir at an elevation of 2310 ft through a 1 mi tunnel. When energy demand is high, water is released back from Bad Creek Reservoir back down to the pump turbines which then operate as generators. After electricity is produced, the water is returned to Lake Jocassee. The process is repeated as needed, primarily with the facility serving as a peaking power plant.