904th largest plant in California · 6541st nationally
Spaulding 3 is a hydroelectric power plant in California with a nameplate capacity of 6.6 MW. It generates roughly 18.3k MWh per year — enough to power about 1,746 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 32% reflects intermittent or peaking operation.
| Plant Name | Spaulding 3 |
|---|---|
| Operator | Pacific Gas & Electric Co. |
| City | Emigrant Gap |
| County | Nevada County |
| State | California |
| ZIP | 95715 |
| Coordinates | 39.33768, -120.63547 |
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 | 6.6 MW | Operating | 1929 |
| 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.