Drop 1

💧 HydroelectricElectric Utility5 MW capacity

940th largest plant in California · 6794th nationally

Drop 1 is a hydroelectric power plant in California with a nameplate capacity of 5.7 MW. It generates roughly 5.4k MWh per year — enough to power about 512 average U.S. homes.

Its capacity factor of 11% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.

PeakingMid-meritBaseload0%40%80%100%11%
Peaking — intermittent or backup
Capacity6 MWnameplate
Annual Generation5.4k MWhEPA eGRID
Capacity Factor11%of theoretical max
Annual CO₂metric tons

Location

Plant NameDrop 1
OperatorImperial Irrigation District
CityHoltville
CountyImperial County
StateCalifornia
ZIP92250
Coordinates32.71161, -114.94267

This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.

Natural GasHydroelectricGeothermalBattery Storage

Generators (3)

IDTechnologyFuelCapacityStatusOnline
1Conventional HydroelectricWater1.9 MWOperating1984
2Conventional HydroelectricWater1.9 MWOperating1984
3Conventional HydroelectricWater1.9 MWOperating1984

Grid context

NERC RegionWECC
Balancing AuthorityImperial Irrigation District

About Hydroelectric plants

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.

Other plants in Imperial County

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