World Power Plants

Belden is a 117.9 MW hydroelectric power plant located in California, United States, operated by Pacific Gas & Electric Co. since its commissioning in 1969. The facility generates electricity from flowing water, contributing to California's renewable energy supply. It is ranked as the 169th largest hydro plant in the United States. With 117.9 MW, it represents 0.1% of the country's total hydro capacity of 117,947 MW. The United States has 1,469 hydro plants with a combined capacity of 117,947 MW. Compared to the largest hydro plant, Grand Coulee Dam at 6,809 MW, Belden is approximately 1/58th the size. Hydropower is essential to California's energy landscape, supplying about 15% of the state's electricity needs. The state's diverse geography, with its rivers and reservoirs, supports hydroelectric generation. Belden is located around 180 km northeast of San Francisco in the northern Sierra Nevada region.

Capacity
117.9 MW
Commissioning Year
1969

57 years old

Owner
Pacific Gas & Electric Co.
Location
40.0074°, -121.2494°

United States of America, North America

Context & rankings
  • 1,959. largest of 10,098 plants in United States of America
  • #9,415 worldwide by installed capacity
  • #2,110 of 8,493 Hydroelectric plants worldwide
  • 0.01% of the installed capacity of United States of America
Age & fleet comparison

57 years in operation

Hydroelectric fleet average: 42.1 years

Operator portfolio

Pacific Gas & Electric Co. operates 81 plants totalling 7,669 MW

Regional density

71 plants within 100 km, 2,518 MW combined

Nearest plant: Oak Flat (10.6 km)

Location

Coordinates:: 40.007400, -121.249400
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Carbon Footprint

Zero Direct Emissions

Belden is a hydro power plant producing approximately 413 GWh of clean electricity per year with zero direct CO₂ emissions during operation.

Lifecycle emissions: ~24 g CO₂/kWh (manufacturing, transport, decommissioning)

Technical Details

Primary Fuel Type
Hydro
Energy Source
Renewable
Country
United States of America
Continent
North America
Data Source
Global Power Plant Database

United States of AmericaEnergy Profile

10,098
Total Plants
1420.7 GW
Total Capacity
GasCoalNuclearWind
Top Fuels

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