38th largest plant in Idaho · 4282nd nationally
Minidoka is a hydroelectric power plant in Idaho with a nameplate capacity of 27.7 MW. It generates roughly 59.4k MWh per year — enough to power about 5,660 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 24% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Minidoka |
|---|---|
| Operator | U S Bureau Of Reclamation |
| City | Rupert |
| County | Minidoka County |
| State | Idaho |
| ZIP | 83350 |
| Coordinates | 42.66990, -113.48318 |
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 10.0 MW | Operating | 1997 |
| 9 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 10.0 MW | Operating | 1997 |
| 7 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 5.0 MW | Operating | 1942 |
| 6 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 2.7 MW | Operating | 1927 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Bonneville Power Administration |
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.