105th largest plant in Minnesota · 4943rd nationally
Blanchard is a hydroelectric power plant in Minnesota with a nameplate capacity of 18.0 MW. It generates roughly 60.7k MWh per year — enough to power about 5,780 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 38% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Blanchard |
|---|---|
| Operator | Allete, Inc. |
| City | Royalton |
| County | Morrison County |
| State | Minnesota |
| ZIP | 56373 |
| Coordinates | 45.86140, -94.35920 |
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 | 6.0 MW | Operating | 1925 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 6.0 MW | Operating | 1925 |
| 3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 6.0 MW | Operating | 1988 |
| NERC Region | MRO |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Midcontinent Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc.. |
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.