12th largest plant in Oregon · 833rd nationally
Hells Canyon is a hydroelectric power plant in Oregon with a nameplate capacity of 411 MW. It generates roughly 1.8M MWh per year — enough to power about 170,460 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 50% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Hells Canyon |
|---|---|
| Operator | Idaho Power Co |
| City | Oxbow |
| County | Wallowa County |
| State | Oregon |
| ZIP | 97840 |
| Coordinates | 45.24390, -116.70080 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 150 MW | Operating | 1967 |
| 1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 131 MW | Operating | 1967 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 131 MW | Operating | 1967 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Idaho Power Company |
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.