World Power Plants

Caribou 2117.9 MW Hydroelectric

HydroRenewableVerified: Jul 2026

Caribou 2 is a 117.9 MW hydroelectric power plant located in California, United States, operated by Pacific Gas & Electric Co. since its commissioning in 1958. The facility utilizes water flow to generate electricity, contributing to the state's renewable energy portfolio. It ranks 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, Caribou 2 is approximately 1/58th the size. Hydropower is a significant part of California's energy mix, providing around 15% of the state's electricity generation. The mountainous terrain and abundant water resources in the region support hydroelectric development. Caribou 2 is located approximately 200 km northeast of Sacramento in the Sierra Nevada region.

Capacity
117.9 MW
Commissioning Year
1958

68 years old

Owner
Pacific Gas & Electric Co.
Location
40.0860°, -121.1494°

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

68 years in operation

Hydroelectric fleet average: 42.1 years

Operator portfolio

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

Regional density

70 plants within 100 km, 2,428 MW combined

Nearest plant: Oak Flat (1.6 km)

Location

Coordinates:: 40.086000, -121.149400
Open in Google Maps
Carbon Footprint

Zero Direct Emissions

Caribou 2 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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