30th largest plant in Idaho · 3890th nationally
Anderson Ranch is a hydroelectric power plant in Idaho with a nameplate capacity of 40.0 MW. It generates roughly 121.6k MWh per year — enough to power about 11,580 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 35% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Anderson Ranch |
|---|---|
| Operator | U S Bureau Of Reclamation |
| City | Mountain Home |
| County | Elmore County |
| State | Idaho |
| ZIP | 83647 |
| Coordinates | 43.35707, -115.45152 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 20.0 MW | Operating | 1950 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 20.0 MW | Operating | 1951 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Bonneville Power Administration |
Hydroelectric plants spin turbines using falling or flowing water — typically from a dam-impounded reservoir. They are dispatchable, long-lived, and emission-free at the point of generation, though large reservoirs can disrupt rivers and ecosystems and methane can be released from flooded vegetation.