Paradise
Paradise is a natural gas plant in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, operated by Tennessee Valley Authority. It ranks third by nameplate capacity among Kentucky’s 62 power plants. It is the biggest of Kentucky’s 14 natural gas plants. Retired units here add up to 2,558 MW across 3 units, taken out of service between 2017 and 2020. Of its current capacity, 694 MW came online between 2023 and 2025.
Nameplate capacity, 2025
1,854 MW
1,763 MW net summer capacity
7 operable units
- Gas combined cycle1,160 MW63%
- Gas combustion turbine694 MW37%
Unit by unit, 1963 to 2025
operating in 2025retiredbar height follows unit size
Unit 1 Coal steam, 704 MW, 1963–2017
Unit 2 Coal steam, 704 MW, 1963–2017
Unit 3 Coal steam, 1,150 MW, 1970–2020
Unit CTG1 Gas combined cycle, 231 MW, 2017
Unit CTG2 Gas combined cycle, 231 MW, 2017
Unit CTG3 Gas combined cycle, 231 MW, 2017
Unit STG1 Gas combined cycle, 467 MW, 2017
Unit CT5 Gas combustion turbine, 231 MW, 2023
Unit CT6 Gas combustion turbine, 231 MW, 2023
Unit CT7 Gas combustion turbine, 231 MW, 2023
Among Kentucky’s plants
Largest plants in the state by nameplate capacity, with the plants ranked next to this one.
- 1Trimble County2,594 MW
- 2Ghent2,226 MW
- 3Paradisethis plant
- 4H L Spurlock1,608 MW
- 5Shawnee1,575 MW
Other rankings
- All US power plants
- 84th of 14,286
- US natural gas plants
- 26th of 1,961
- Plants in the Tennessee Valley Authority balancing area
- 6th of 152
- Plants run by Tennessee Valley Authority
- 6th of 53
- Biggest single unit, among Kentucky’s plants
- 7th of 62
Operable units
| Unit | Technology | Nameplate | Summer | Online | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CTG1 | Gas combined cycle | 231 MW | 211 MW | 2017 | Operating |
| CTG2 | Gas combined cycle | 231 MW | 211 MW | 2017 | Operating |
| CTG3 | Gas combined cycle | 231 MW | 211 MW | 2017 | Operating |
| STG1 | Gas combined cycle | 467 MW | 467 MW | 2017 | Operating |
| CT5 | Gas combustion turbine | 231 MW | 221 MW | 2023 | Operating |
| CT6 | Gas combustion turbine | 231 MW | 221 MW | 2023 | Operating |
| CT7 | Gas combustion turbine | 231 MW | 221 MW | 2023 | Operating |
Retired units
| Unit | Technology | Nameplate | In service |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coal steam | 704 MW | 1963–2017 |
| 2 | Coal steam | 704 MW | 1963–2017 |
| 3 | Coal steam | 1,150 MW | 1970–2020 |
Grid and site
- Balancing area
- Tennessee Valley Authority
- Reliability region
- SERC Reliability Corporation
- Highest grid connection voltage
- 500 kV
- Water source
- Green River
- Nearest town on record
- Drakesboro
- Operator type
- Utility
- Coordinates
- 37.261°N, 86.978°W
Closest plants
| Plant | Runs on | Capacity | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| D B Wilson | Coal | 509 MW | 14.2 mi northwest |
| SR Russellville | Solar | 173 MW | 32.2 mi south |
| R D Green | Natural gas | 586 MW | 39.1 mi northwest |
| Robert A Reid | Natural gas | 98.8 MW | 39.2 mi northwest |
| Unbridled Solar | Solar | 160 MW | 41.5 mi northwest |
| Sebree Solar I | Solar | 250 MW | 43.3 mi northwest |
| SR Franklin, LLC | Solar | 2.5 MW | 44.7 mi southeast |
| SR Warren, LLC | Solar | 3.5 MW | 44.7 mi southeast |