318th largest plant in California · 2940th nationally
Big Creek 8 is a hydroelectric power plant in California with a nameplate capacity of 75.0 MW. It generates roughly 152.9k MWh per year — enough to power about 14,559 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 23% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Big Creek 8 |
|---|---|
| Operator | Southern California Edison Co |
| City | Auberry |
| County | Fresno County |
| State | California |
| ZIP | 93605 |
| Coordinates | 37.20960, -119.32890 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 45.0 MW | Out of Service | 1929 |
| 1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 30.0 MW | Operating | 1921 |
| 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.