169th largest plant in Maine · 8622nd nationally
Orono B is a hydroelectric power plant in Maine with a nameplate capacity of 3.9 MW. It generates roughly 25.5k MWh per year — enough to power about 2,429 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 75% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Orono B |
|---|---|
| Operator | Brookfield Black Bear Hydro, Llc |
| City | Orono |
| County | Penobscot County |
| State | Maine |
| ZIP | 04473 |
| Coordinates | 44.88444, -68.66389 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ORB-1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 1.3 MW | Operating | 2013 |
| ORB-2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 1.3 MW | Operating | 2013 |
| ORB-3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 1.3 MW | Operating | 2013 |
| 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.