742nd largest plant in California · 5197th nationally
Forks Of Butte Hydro Project is a hydroelectric power plant in California with a nameplate capacity of 14.5 MW. It generates roughly 41.9k MWh per year — enough to power about 3,994 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 33% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Forks Of Butte Hydro Project |
|---|---|
| Operator | Hypower Energy, Llc |
| City | Magalia |
| County | Butte County |
| State | California |
| ZIP | 95954 |
| Coordinates | 39.86928, -121.63187 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEN1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 14.5 MW | Operating | 1992 |
| 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.