305th largest plant in California · 2811th nationally
Pit 3 is a hydroelectric power plant in California with a nameplate capacity of 80.1 MW. It generates roughly 345.4k MWh per year — enough to power about 32,899 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 49% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Pit 3 |
|---|---|
| Operator | Pacific Gas & Electric Co. |
| City | Burney |
| County | Shasta County |
| State | California |
| ZIP | 96013 |
| Coordinates | 40.99745, -121.74814 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 26.7 MW | Operating | 1925 |
| H2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 26.7 MW | Operating | 1925 |
| H3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 26.7 MW | Operating | 1925 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | California Independent System Operator |
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.