406th largest plant in Minnesota · 11275th nationally
Sylvan is a hydroelectric power plant in Minnesota with a nameplate capacity of 1.8 MW. It generates roughly 8.0k MWh per year — enough to power about 763 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 51% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Sylvan |
|---|---|
| Operator | Allete, Inc. |
| City | Pillager |
| County | Cass County |
| State | Minnesota |
| ZIP | 56473 |
| Coordinates | 46.30500, -94.37750 |
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 | 0.6 MW | Operating | 1913 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 0.6 MW | Operating | 1913 |
| 3 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 0.6 MW | Operating | 1915 |
| NERC Region | MRO |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Midcontinent Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc.. |
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.