1419th largest plant in California · 11275th nationally
Bidwell Ditch Project is a hydroelectric power plant in California with a nameplate capacity of 1.8 MW. It generates roughly 11.2k MWh per year — enough to power about 1,065 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 71% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Bidwell Ditch Project |
|---|---|
| Operator | Mega Renewables |
| City | Hat Creek |
| County | Shasta County |
| State | California |
| ZIP | 96040 |
| Coordinates | 40.80140, -121.44810 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEN1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 1.8 MW | Operating | 1987 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | California Independent System Operator |
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.