77th largest plant in Maine · 6541st nationally
Cataract Hydro is a hydroelectric power plant in Maine with a nameplate capacity of 6.6 MW. It generates roughly 2.0k MWh per year — enough to power about 187 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 3% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Cataract Hydro |
|---|---|
| Operator | Brookfield White Pine Hydro Llc |
| City | Saco |
| County | York County |
| State | Maine |
| ZIP | 04072 |
| Coordinates | 43.49560, -70.44720 |
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 | 6.6 MW | Operating | 1937 |
| 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.