286th largest plant in Oregon · 12726th nationally
Michell Butte Power Project is a hydroelectric power plant in Oregon with a nameplate capacity of 1.0 MW. It generates roughly 4.4k MWh per year — enough to power about 416 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 50% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Michell Butte Power Project |
|---|---|
| Operator | Owyhee Irrigation District |
| City | Nyssa |
| County | Malheur County |
| State | Oregon |
| ZIP | 97913 |
| Coordinates | 43.77190, -117.15502 |
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 | 1.0 MW | Operating | 1989 |
| GEN2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 1.0 MW | Operating | 1989 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Idaho Power Company |
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.