220th largest plant in Maine · 11524th nationally
Messalonskee 3 is a hydroelectric power plant in Maine with a nameplate capacity of 1.6 MW. It generates roughly 7.3k MWh per year — enough to power about 693 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 52% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Messalonskee 3 |
|---|---|
| Operator | Messalonskee Stream Hydro Llc |
| City | Oakland |
| County | Kennebec County |
| State | Maine |
| ZIP | 04963 |
| Coordinates | 44.56987, -69.68184 |
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 | 1.6 MW | Operating | 1918 |
| NERC Region | NPCC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Iso New England 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.