Installed capacity

Bevan
22 April 2009 – 10:39pm

Installed capacity is also called nameplate capacity or maximum capacity. It simply refers to the maximum amount of electric energy that can be produced by all of a dam's turbines operating to their maximum capacity at a given time. No power station ever produces at maximum capacity over a sustained period of time due to maintenance needs, lack of demand or, in the case of hydro dams, lack of water.

Read a Wikipedia article on installed capacity.