783rd largest plant in California · 5452nd nationally
Isabella Hydro Project is a hydroelectric power plant in California with a nameplate capacity of 11.8 MW. It generates roughly 1.5k MWh per year — enough to power about 142 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 1% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Isabella Hydro Project |
|---|---|
| Operator | Isabella Partners |
| City | Lake Isabella |
| County | Kern County |
| State | California |
| ZIP | 93240 |
| Coordinates | 35.64414, -118.48199 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEN1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 5.9 MW | Operating | 1990 |
| GEN2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 5.9 MW | Operating | 1990 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | California Independent System Operator |
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.