Muskingum River Power Plant

The Smartland Energy team initiated a comprehensive effort to evaluate the potential acquisition and redevelopment of the Muskingum River Power Plant in Washington County, Ohio. With a nameplate capacity of 1,200 MW, the site represented a significant opportunity to modernize legacy infrastructure for the next generation of power needs. Our vision was focused: assess the viability of repurposing the facility to deliver clean, reliable energy, potentially supplying power directly to behind-the-meter customers. The project unfolded through a series of technical, financial, and regulatory evaluations, each essential to informed decision-making and strategic execution.

Stage 1: Initial Visit and Technical Assessment

Our initial assessment of the Muskingum River Power Plant in Washington County, Ohio, was both exploratory and highly technical. Led by myself and Richard Hubbard, our Energy Systems Expert with over 30 years of experience, we toured the legacy coal-fired facility, which boasts a generation capacity of approximately 1,200 MW. Once a critical part of the region’s power infrastructure, the site presented numerous opportunities for modernization, repurposing, or partial redevelopment. We closely examined the plant’s structural and operational condition, identifying key areas where strategic investment could unlock long-term energy potential and align with current market and regulatory trends.

Stage 2: Comprehensive Due Diligence 

Following our initial assessment, we initiated rigorous due diligence. We crafted detailed redevelopment and business plans, considering critical factors such as regulatory compliance under its current FERC license (P-2533, expiring in February 2023), environmental implications, and financial viability. This process helped us identify incremental steps necessary to upgrade the plant’s generating technology and meet contemporary standards.