268th largest plant in Michigan · 12185th nationally
French Paper Hydro is a hydroelectric power plant in Michigan with a nameplate capacity of 1.3 MW. It generates roughly 5.0k MWh per year — enough to power about 472 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 44% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | French Paper Hydro |
|---|---|
| Operator | French Paper Co |
| City | Niles |
| County | Berrien County |
| State | Michigan |
| ZIP | 49120 |
| Coordinates | 41.82030, -86.25920 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 0.4 MW | Operating | 1927 |
| 3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 0.4 MW | Operating | 1930 |
| 1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 0.3 MW | Operating | 1922 |
| 4 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 0.2 MW | Operating | 1921 |
| NERC Region | RFC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Pjm Interconnection, Llc |
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.