725th largest plant in California · 5052nd nationally
Sand Bar Power Plant is a hydroelectric power plant in California with a nameplate capacity of 16.2 MW. It generates roughly 124.3k MWh per year — enough to power about 11,836 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 88% means it runs nearly around-the-clock as baseload generation.
| Plant Name | Sand Bar Power Plant |
|---|---|
| Operator | Tri-Dam Power Authority |
| City | Stanislaus Ntl. Fores |
| County | Tuolumne County |
| State | California |
| ZIP | 95364 |
| Coordinates | 38.18610, -120.15000 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEN1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 16.2 MW | Operating | 1986 |
| 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.