429th largest plant in Minnesota · 12185th nationally
Granite Falls is a hydroelectric power plant in Minnesota with a nameplate capacity of 1.3 MW. It generates roughly 604 MWh per year — enough to power about 57 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 5% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Granite Falls |
|---|---|
| Operator | City Of Granite Falls - (Mn) |
| City | Granite Falls |
| County | Chippewa County |
| State | Minnesota |
| ZIP | 56241 |
| Coordinates | 44.81168, -95.53455 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HC3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 0.8 MW | Operating | 1986 |
| 1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 0.3 MW | Operating | 1940 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 0.2 MW | Operating | 1932 |
| NERC Region | MRO |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Midcontinent Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc.. |
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.