Photos: Eklutna Generation Station

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Anchorage's second power plant, built in 1929, occupies property adjacent to one of the newest power plants in the region, Matanuska Electric Association's Eklutna Generation Station on Thursday, May 7, 2015. The old Eklutna hydropower plant initially generated 1mW, the new plant can generate over 150mW.

EKLUTNA -- For the first time in its 74-year history, Matanuska Electric Association is on its own.

The Palmer-based electric cooperative became "self-generating" at midnight May 1, when the new $324 million Eklutna Generation Station started cranking out power.

The 171-megawatt power plant sits on industrial property purchased from Eklutna Inc. between the Glenn Highway and the Chugach Mountains near the Alaska Railroad tracks. Just on the other side of a fenced switchyard sits Anchorage's original 1907 power plant, still bearing the faded letters "Anchorage Light & Power Co."

Read more: MEA flips switch on co-op's first power plant