Upper Molina Powerplant consists of a single 8,640-kilowatt generating unit. This unit operates at a design head of 2,490 feet with power tailwater discharges up to 50 cubic feet per second into the Molina Equalizing Reservoir. Both the Lower and Upper Molina Powerplants are operated in conjunction with Colorado River Storage Project power operations. Power generated at both powerplants is transformed to a transmission voltage of 115 kilovolts at two substations constructed adjacent to the plants. A 5.5-mile transmission line leads from the substation at the Upper Molina Powerplant, delivers energy produced at the plant to the substation at Lower Molina Powerplant, and connects to the Public Service of Colorado system for distribution.
Electrical energy is generated for use in west-central Colorado.
In fiscal year 1992 the unit control system was upgraded. This reconfigured the plant from local operation to remote. Designing and replacing new turbine runner and replacing unit relay protection.