SWITZERLAND COUNTY, Ind.--You may know the Markland Hydroelectric Dam in Switzerland County as a great place to catch big fish. But, the dam also provides power to homes in southern Indiana. Duke Energy says thanks to two years work to upgrade the dam and its energy-producing capabilities, it’s now ten percent more efficient.
The dam, which began operation in 1967, produces electricity by using the water on the Ohio River near Florence, to turn huge turbines. Duke Energy, the company that operates the dam, said it spent $152 million on upgrades, with permission from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.
The company says the energy the dam produces is clean, and is part of the company’s efforts to produce more energy with lower carbon emissions.
Duke Energy, in a news release about the upgrade projects, said wind and cleaner natural gas will be used more in the next 20 years.
The upgrades at Markland give the dam the potential to produce 65 megawatts of electricity. That’s enough to power 52,000 homes.
“The low-cost, carbon-free power generated at Markland Hydro Station is an important piece of our diversified portfolio of generation sources,” said Duke Energy Indiana President Stan Pinegar .
“By embracing new advancements in technology and innovation, we’re able to expand clean energy production for our customers while also maintaining the reliable service they expect,” he said.
Much of the upgrade work was on the dam’s large turbines. The company says the turbines weigh 180 tones each. Each of the blades is 27 feet long. The force of the river turns the blades, which turn a generator shaft to produce electricity. Right next to the dam is a set of locks for river traffic.
