1336th largest plant in California · 10186th nationally
Site 980 65 is a hydroelectric power plant in California with a nameplate capacity of 2.1 MW. It generates roughly 6.3k MWh per year — enough to power about 597 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 34% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Site 980 65 |
|---|---|
| Operator | Madera-Chowchilla Power Auth |
| City | Madera |
| County | Madera County |
| State | California |
| ZIP | 93637 |
| Coordinates | 37.05680, -119.89971 |
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 | 2.1 MW | Operating | 1985 |
| 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.