214th largest plant in Wisconsin · 11440th nationally
Hat Rapids is a hydroelectric power plant in Wisconsin with a nameplate capacity of 1.7 MW. It generates roughly 5.9k MWh per year — enough to power about 565 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 40% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Hat Rapids |
|---|---|
| Operator | Wisconsin Public Service Corp |
| City | Rhinelander |
| County | Oneida County |
| State | Wisconsin |
| ZIP | 54501 |
| Coordinates | 45.57110, -89.48060 |
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 | 0.8 MW | Operating | 1923 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 0.5 MW | Retired | 1905 |
| 2A | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 0.5 MW | Operating | 1984 |
| 3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 0.4 MW | Retired | 1924 |
| 3A | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 0.4 MW | Operating | 1984 |
| NERC Region | RFC |
|---|---|
| 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.