59th largest plant in Hawaii · 8730th nationally
Wainiha Hydro is a hydroelectric power plant in Hawaii with a nameplate capacity of 3.6 MW. It generates roughly 21.5k MWh per year — enough to power about 2,049 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 68% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Wainiha Hydro |
|---|---|
| Operator | Bbcp Kauai Operating Llc |
| City | Hanalei |
| County | Kauai County |
| State | Hawaii |
| ZIP | 96714 |
| Coordinates | 22.19629, -159.55614 |
This plant highlighted in navy-ringed pin; other generators within 25 miles shown as fuel-colored dots.
| ID | Technology | Fuel | Capacity | Status | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WAIA | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 1.8 MW | Operating | 1906 |
| WAIB | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 1.8 MW | Operating | 1910 |
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.