California
power plants.
California has 875 operating power plants in the catalog, 71,430 MW in all. The catalog also marks 32 plants as Retired, with 2,770 MW of capacity. Its operating fleet leans on natural gas, which accounts for 51.4% of operating capacity, with solar second at 18.9%. The largest operating plant in the catalog is Alamitos Energy Center (1,793 MW, recorded start year 1961).
Source: Global Energy Monitor, Global Integrated Power Tracker, March 2026 release II. Catalog content date: .
Source: Global Energy Monitor, Global Integrated Power Tracker, March 2026 release II. Catalog content date: .
California electricity mix
Operating installed capacity by fuel. Each row gives megawatts and its share of the operating total.
Source: Global Energy Monitor, Global Integrated Power Tracker, March 2026 release II. Catalog content date: .
Largest plants in California
Source: Global Energy Monitor, Global Integrated Power Tracker, March 2026 release II. Catalog content date: .
Newest plants in California
This table includes 4 of the 6 operating plants with a recorded start year of 2024, largest first. The catalog records years, not full commissioning dates.
Source: Global Energy Monitor, Global Integrated Power Tracker, March 2026 release II. Catalog content date: .
Frequently asked questions
Where does California get its electricity?
Across the 875 operating plants in the catalog, capacity is led by natural gas at 51.4%, then solar at 18.9%. These are installed-capacity shares, not live generation.
What is the largest power plant in California?
The largest operating plant in the catalog for California is Alamitos Energy Center, a natural gas facility with 1,793 MW and a recorded start year of 1961.
How many power plants are in California?
The catalog tracks 875 operating power plants in California, with 71,430 MW in all. It also marks 32 plants as Retired, with 2,770 MW of capacity.