Diablo Canyon
Diablo Canyon is a nuclear plant in San Luis Obispo County, California, operated by Pacific Gas & Electric Co. By nameplate capacity it is the 49th-largest power plant in the United States and the largest in California. Within the California ISO balancing area it is the largest of 1,637 plants. Its biggest unit, rated at 1,164 MW, is the largest single generator in California.
Nameplate capacity, 2025
2,323 MW
2,240 MW net summer capacity
2 operable units
- Nuclear2,323 MW100%
Unit by unit, 1985 to 2025
operating in 2025bar height follows unit size
Unit 1 Nuclear, 1,159 MW, 1985
Unit 2 Nuclear, 1,164 MW, 1986
Among California’s plants
Largest plants in the state by nameplate capacity, with the plants ranked next to this one.
- 1Diablo Canyonthis plant
- 2Dynegy Moss Landing Power Plant Hybrid1,848 MW
- 3Haynes1,739 MW
Other rankings
- US nuclear plants
- 18th of 56
- Plants run by Pacific Gas & Electric Co.
- 1st of 71
Operable units
| Unit | Technology | Nameplate | Summer | Online | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nuclear | 1,159 MW | 1,122 MW | 1985 | Operating |
| 2 | Nuclear | 1,164 MW | 1,118 MW | 1986 | Operating |
Grid and site
- Balancing area
- California ISO
- Reliability region
- Western Electricity Coordinating Council
- Highest grid connection voltage
- 500 kV
- Water source
- Pacific Ocean
- Nearest town on record
- Avila Beach
- Operator type
- Utility
- Coordinates
- 35.212°N, 120.856°W
Closest plants
| Plant | Runs on | Capacity | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camp San Luis Obispo | Solar | 1.2 MW | 10.3 mi northeast |
| Stenner Creek Solar | Solar | 4.5 MW | 11.9 mi northeast |
| CA-DGS-California Men’s Colony | Solar | 2.2 MW | 12.1 mi northeast |
| Thomas M Knott Cogen Facility | Natural gas | 1.4 MW | 13.5 mi east |
| Cold Canyon 1 | Biomass and waste | 1.5 MW | 14.6 mi east |
| Atascadero State Hospital | Solar | 1.1 MW | 21.4 mi northeast |
| Vintner Solar | Solar | 1.5 MW | 25.8 mi north |
| Caballero | Battery storage | 99.7 MW | 26.8 mi southeast |