569th largest plant in California · 4323rd nationally
Kern River 1 is a hydroelectric power plant in California with a nameplate capacity of 26.4 MW. It generates roughly 167.0k MWh per year — enough to power about 15,904 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 72% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Kern River 1 |
|---|---|
| Operator | Southern California Edison Co |
| City | Bakersfield |
| County | Kern County |
| State | California |
| ZIP | 93301 |
| Coordinates | 35.46030, -118.77959 |
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 | 6.6 MW | Operating | 1907 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 6.6 MW | Operating | 1907 |
| 3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 6.6 MW | Operating | 1907 |
| 4 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 6.6 MW | Operating | 1907 |
| 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.