480th largest plant in California · 3888th nationally
Kern River 3 is a hydroelectric power plant in California with a nameplate capacity of 40.3 MW. It generates roughly 184.5k MWh per year — enough to power about 17,574 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 52% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Kern River 3 |
|---|---|
| Operator | Southern California Edison Co |
| City | Kernville |
| County | Kern County |
| State | California |
| ZIP | 93238 |
| Coordinates | 35.77618, -118.43623 |
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 | 20.5 MW | Operating | 1921 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 19.8 MW | Operating | 1921 |
| 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.