224th largest plant in Illinois · 10066th nationally
Upper Sterling is a hydroelectric power plant in Illinois with a nameplate capacity of 2.2 MW. It generates roughly 9.2k MWh per year — enough to power about 875 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 48% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Upper Sterling |
|---|---|
| Operator | City Of Rock Falls - (Il) |
| City | Rock Falls |
| County | Whiteside County |
| State | Illinois |
| ZIP | 61071 |
| Coordinates | 41.78712, -89.67753 |
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 | 1.1 MW | Operating | 1988 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 1.1 MW | Operating | 1988 |
| NERC Region | RFC |
|---|---|
| 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.