476th largest plant in California · 3848th nationally
Salt Springs is a hydroelectric power plant in California with a nameplate capacity of 42.0 MW. It generates roughly 200.8k MWh per year — enough to power about 19,128 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 55% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Salt Springs |
|---|---|
| Operator | Pacific Gas & Electric Co. |
| City | Pioneer |
| County | Amador County |
| State | California |
| ZIP | 95666 |
| Coordinates | 38.49791, -120.21811 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 29.7 MW | Operating | 1953 |
| 1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 12.3 MW | Operating | 1931 |
| 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.