141st largest plant in Washington · 12726th nationally
Skookumchuck is a hydroelectric power plant in Washington with a nameplate capacity of 1.0 MW. It generates roughly 3.2k MWh per year — enough to power about 308 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 37% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Skookumchuck |
|---|---|
| Operator | Transalta Centralia Gen Llc |
| City | Tenino |
| County | Thurston County |
| State | Washington |
| ZIP | 98530 |
| Coordinates | 46.78440, -122.71970 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 1.0 MW | Operating | 1990 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Bonneville Power Administration |
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.