1070th largest plant in California · 8379th nationally
Drop 5 (Ca) is a hydroelectric power plant in California with a nameplate capacity of 4.0 MW. It generates roughly 9.2k MWh per year — enough to power about 879 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 26% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Drop 5 (Ca) |
|---|---|
| Operator | Imperial Irrigation District |
| City | Calexico |
| County | Imperial County |
| State | California |
| ZIP | 92231 |
| Coordinates | 32.67310, -115.39203 |
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 | 2.0 MW | Operating | 1982 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 2.0 MW | Operating | 1982 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Imperial Irrigation District |
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.