World Power Plants

Lower Baker111.2 MW Hydroelectric

HydroRenewableVerified: Jul 2026

Lower Baker is a 111.2 MW hydroelectric power plant located in Washington State, USA, operated by Puget Sound Energy Inc. The facility began operations in 1974 and generates electricity using water flow from the Baker River. It ranks as the 178th largest hydro plant in the United States. With a capacity of 111.2 MW, it represents 0.09% 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, Lower Baker is about 1.6% the size. Hydropower is a major component of Washington's energy mix, providing a substantial portion of the state's electricity. The state's geography, with numerous rivers and mountainous terrain, supports hydroelectric generation. Lower Baker is situated approximately 130 km northeast of Seattle in Skagit County.

Capacity
111.2 MW
Commissioning Year
1974

52 years old

Owner
Puget Sound Energy Inc
Location
48.5478°, -121.7407°

United States of America, North America

Context & rankings
  • 2,003. largest of 10,098 plants in United States of America
  • #9,588 worldwide by installed capacity
  • #2,169 of 8,493 Hydroelectric plants worldwide
  • 0.01% of the installed capacity of United States of America
Age & fleet comparison

52 years in operation

Hydroelectric fleet average: 42.1 years

Operator portfolio

Puget Sound Energy Inc operates 17 plants totalling 2,958 MW

Regional density

27 plants within 100 km, 2,686 MW combined

Nearest plant: Upper Baker (11.8 km)

Location

Coordinates:: 48.547800, -121.740700
Open in Google Maps
Carbon Footprint

Zero Direct Emissions

Lower Baker is a hydro power plant producing approximately 390 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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