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California Hydroelectric Statistics & Data

In 2007, hydro-produced electricity used by California totaled nearly 43,625 gigawatt-hours (GWh) or 14.5 percent of the state's total system power. In-state production accounted for 69.5% of all hydroelectricity, while imports from other states totaled 30.5%.

A total of 343 hydroelectric facilities are in California with an installed capacity of 13,057 megawatts (MW). Hydro facilities are broken down into two categories: larger than 30 MW capacity are called "large hydro"; smaller than 30 MW capacity is considered "small hydro" and are totalled into the renewable energy portfolio standards. The amount of hydroelectricity produced varies each year. It is largely dependent on rainfall.

One of those hydro facilities is the Edward Hyatt Power Plant on Oroville Dam, pictured on the right. According to the Calif. Dept. of Water Resources, the "Hyatt Power Plant was constructed in the bedrock below Lake Oroville. A cavern the size of two football fields was dug out to house the facility." Of the six units, three generate power, while the other three can either pump water for pumped water storage or generate power."

The Hyatt Power Plant is part of California's State Water Project, which is the largest state-built water and power development and conveyance system in the United States. It is the largest single power consumer in the state and the fourth largest energy producer. It makes a significant contribution to the state's electrical grid because the hydro power offers a flexible resource with rapid response to help stabilize the power grid.

Source: Total System Power

Total Hydroelectricity Production
(In Gigawatt-Hours; Includes Imports)

				1983	1984	1985	1986	1987	1988	1989
Hydroelectric				59,351	46,880	33,898	44,478	27,140	26,692	32,742
Total Generation				199,609	211,900	210,172	211,028	220,371	232,926	238,567
	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999
Hydroelectric	26,092	23,244	22,373	41,595	25,626	51,665	47,883	41,400	48,757	41,627
Total Generation	252,355	242,343	245,535	242,026	256,719	256,367	253,621	255,080	276,412	275,803
	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
Hydroelectric	42,053	25,005	31,221	36,140	34,372	39,891	48,431	43,625
Total Generation	280,496	265,059	272,509	276,969	289,359	287,977	295,268	302,072