478th largest plant in California · 3861st nationally
Forbestown is a hydroelectric power plant in California with a nameplate capacity of 41.9 MW. It generates roughly 155.0k MWh per year — enough to power about 14,764 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 42% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Forbestown |
|---|---|
| Operator | South Feather Water And Power Agency |
| City | Forbestown |
| County | Butte County |
| State | California |
| ZIP | 95941 |
| Coordinates | 39.55101, -121.27878 |
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 | 41.9 MW | Operating | 1963 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | California Independent System Operator |
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.