96th largest plant in Wisconsin · 5386th nationally
Dells is a hydroelectric power plant in Wisconsin with a nameplate capacity of 12.3 MW. It generates roughly 43.1k MWh per year — enough to power about 4,107 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 40% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Dells |
|---|---|
| Operator | Northern States Power Co - Minnesota |
| City | Eau Claire |
| County | Eau Claire County |
| State | Wisconsin |
| ZIP | 54701 |
| Coordinates | 44.82806, -91.51111 |
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 | 2.9 MW | Operating | 1923 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 2.6 MW | Operating | 1924 |
| 3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 2.6 MW | Operating | 1924 |
| 4 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 2.6 MW | Operating | 1924 |
| 5 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 1.6 MW | Operating | 1924 |
| 7 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 0.7 MW | Retired | 1907 |
| 6 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 0.5 MW | Retired | 1916 |
| 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.