New Melones is a hydraulic turbine power plant located in Jamestown, California, within the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) region. With an operating capacity of 382 megawatts, the facility plays a crucial role in the energy landscape of Northern California, specifically under the jurisdiction of the Balancing Authority of Northern California, managed by the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD). The plant is operated and predominantly owned by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which also serves as the owner holding company. As an unregulated facility, New Melones utilizes water as its primary fuel source, contributing to the region’s renewable energy portfolio.
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