50th largest plant in Hawaii · 6111th nationally
Gay Robinson is a hydroelectric power plant in Hawaii with a nameplate capacity of 8.7 MW. It generates roughly 43.5k MWh per year — enough to power about 4,145 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 57% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Gay Robinson |
|---|---|
| Operator | Gay & Robinson Inc |
| City | Kaumakani |
| County | Kauai County |
| State | Hawaii |
| ZIP | 96747 |
| Coordinates | 21.91780, -159.62940 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HYD3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 6.5 MW | Operating | 2019 |
| ST4 | Other Waste Biomass | AB | 4.0 MW | Retired | 1995 |
| HYD2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 1.2 MW | Operating | 1982 |
| DSL5 | Petroleum Liquids | Distillate Oil | 0.5 MW | Standby | 2010 |
| DSL6 | Petroleum Liquids | Distillate Oil | 0.5 MW | Standby | 2010 |
| DSL1 | Petroleum Liquids | Distillate Oil | 0.4 MW | Retired | 1972 |
| DSL4 | Petroleum Liquids | Distillate Oil | 0.4 MW | Retired | 1972 |
| Balancing Authority | No Ba |
|---|
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.