70th largest plant in California · 1037th nationally
New Melones is a hydroelectric power plant in California with a nameplate capacity of 300 MW. It generates roughly 467.5k MWh per year — enough to power about 44,519 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 18% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | New Melones |
|---|---|
| Operator | U S Bureau Of Reclamation |
| City | Jamestown |
| County | Tuolumne County |
| State | California |
| ZIP | 95376 |
| Coordinates | 37.94693, -120.52821 |
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 | 150 MW | Operating | 1979 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 150 MW | Operating | 1979 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Balancing Authority Of Northern California |
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.