Alabama Power to Close Oldest Steam Plant on January 1

Taniesa Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News

GADSDEN - Alabama Power plans to close its 109-year-old Gadsden Steam Plant - the oldest power plant in the company - on Jan. 1.

The decision to retire the plant was based on cost and efficiency, the company said in a statement.

No layoffs due to the plant’s retirement are expected.

“The Gadsden Steam Plant was the catalyst that helped spur the economic growth of Alabama in the early 1900s,” Senior Production Officer Jim Heilbron said. “It’s been a steady energy source for us to dependably power our customers ever since. Though it’s the end of an era to close its doors, we will continue to find ways to honor the legacy.”

The plant, located on the Coosa River in East Gadsden, was able to produce 10,000-kilowatt hours when it opened, making it the largest electric-generating facility in the state at the time.

During its lifespan, it has also used coal, natural gas, switchgrass, and natural gas as its fuel sources.

(AL.com)