102nd largest plant in Nevada · 9695th nationally
Washoe is a hydroelectric power plant in Nevada with a nameplate capacity of 2.6 MW. It generates roughly 11.1k MWh per year — enough to power about 1,060 average U.S. homes.
Its capacity factor of 49% puts it in the middle range — running steadily but not full-time.
| Plant Name | Washoe |
|---|---|
| Operator | Truckee Meadows Water Authority |
| City | Verdi |
| County | Washoe County |
| State | Nevada |
| ZIP | 89439 |
| Coordinates | 39.30220, -119.56040 |
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 | 1.3 MW | Operating | 1904 |
| 2 | Conventional Hydroelectric | Water | 1.3 MW | Operating | 1904 |
| NERC Region | WECC |
|---|---|
| Balancing Authority | Nevada Power Company |
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.