40th largest plant in Idaho · 4453rd nationally
Gem State is a hydroelectric power plant in Idaho with a nameplate capacity of 23.4 MW. It generates roughly 104.1k MWh per year — enough to power about 9,915 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 51% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Gem State |
|---|---|
| Operator | City Of Idaho Falls - (Id) |
| City | Idaho Falls |
| County | Bonneville County |
| State | Idaho |
| ZIP | 83402 |
| Coordinates | 43.42022, -112.10185 |
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 | 23.4 MW | Operating | 1988 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Pacificorp - East |
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.