Browse terms related to these fuel groups:alternative fuels|coal|electricity|natural gas|nuclear|petroleum|renewable
base load
Base load: The minimum amount of electric power delivered or required over a given period of time at a steady rate.
Base load capacity: The generating equipment normally operated to serve loads on an around-the-clock basis.
Base load plant: A plant, usually housing high-efficiency steam-electric units, which is normally operated to take all or part of the minimum load of a system, and which consequently produces electricity at an essentially constant rate and runs continuously. These units are operated to maximize system mechanical and thermal efficiency and minimize system operating costs.