BIG CREEK 3

How BIG CREEK 3 compares

With 174 MW of capacity, BIG CREEK 3 ranks 84th among the 874 operating power plants Bywatts maps in California and 16th of the 195 operating Hydro plants in the state. It accounts for about 1.3% of California's operating Hydro capacity and 0.2% of all operating capacity in the state. Nationally it is the 103rd-largest of the 1,243 operating Hydro plants in the database. Commissioned in 1923, it is older than 97% of the 859 operating California plants with a recorded commissioning year. Its operator, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON CO, runs 22 operating plants in California totaling 2,341 MW. It shares Fresno County with 42 other operating plants, including HELMS PUMPED STORAGE and PANOCHE ENERGY CENTER.

EIA-860 lists 5 generators at the site with 175 MW of nameplate capacity, all conventional hydroelectric technology. Net generation was 630 GWh in 2024 (a 41% capacity factor), up 10% from 2022. Its generators came online between 1923 and 1980.

Grid neighborhood

The nearest named substation is BIG CREEK 3 (230 kV), about 0.1 miles away; the closest transmission line found within 10 miles is a 230 kV line owned by AZUSA LIGHT & POWER, about 0.1 miles away. Another 19 operating power plants totaling 2,646 MW sit within 25 miles; the largest is HELMS PUMPED STORAGE (1,212 MW, Hydro).

Computed by Bywatts from HIFLD power plant, substation and transmission line records and EIA-860/923 survey data; distances are straight-line. Sources and methodology