103rd largest plant in Wisconsin · 5945th nationally
Kilbourn is a hydroelectric power plant in Wisconsin with a nameplate capacity of 9.7 MW. It generates roughly 54.0k MWh per year — enough to power about 5,143 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 64% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Kilbourn |
|---|---|
| Operator | Wisconsin Power & Light Co |
| City | Wisconsin Dells |
| County | Columbia County |
| State | Wisconsin |
| ZIP | 53965 |
| Coordinates | 43.62584, -89.78076 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 2.5 MW | Operating | 1939 |
| HC5 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 2.5 MW | Operating | 1935 |
| HC6 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 2.5 MW | Operating | 1937 |
| HC1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 2.2 MW | Operating | 1926 |
| NERC Region | MRO |
|---|---|
| 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.