288th largest plant in Massachusetts · 9100th nationally
Boatlock is a hydroelectric power plant in Massachusetts with a nameplate capacity of 3.1 MW. It generates roughly 21.3k MWh per year — enough to power about 2,024 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 78% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Boatlock |
|---|---|
| Operator | City Of Holyoke Gas And Electric Dept. |
| City | Holyoke |
| County | Hampden County |
| State | Massachusetts |
| ZIP | 01040 |
| Coordinates | 42.20860, -72.60140 |
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 | 1.2 MW | Operating | 1924 |
| 3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 1.2 MW | Operating | 1924 |
| 1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 0.7 MW | Operating | 1921 |
| NERC Region | NPCC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Iso New England 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.