1st largest plant in Idaho · 536th nationally
Brownlee is a hydroelectric power plant in Idaho with a nameplate capacity of 675 MW. It generates roughly 2.1M MWh per year — enough to power about 198,830 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 35% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Brownlee |
|---|---|
| Operator | Idaho Power Co |
| City | Cambridge |
| County | Washington County |
| State | Idaho |
| ZIP | 83610 |
| Coordinates | 44.83670, -116.89750 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 225 MW | Operating | 1980 |
| 1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 113 MW | Operating | 1959 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 113 MW | Operating | 1958 |
| 3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 113 MW | Operating | 1958 |
| 4 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 113 MW | Operating | 1958 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Idaho Power Company |
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.