Celilo Converter Station

Celilo Converter Station is a power conversion facility at the northern end of the Pacific DC Intertie that transforms alternating current into direct current for long-distance electricity transmission. The installation uses modern thyristor-controlled valves to move power between electrical grids serving the Pacific Northwest and Southern California regions.

The facility opened in 1970 and initially used mercury arc valves for power conversion at its core. A major modernization in 2004 replaced these older valves with new light-triggered thyristor groups that improved efficiency and reliability.

The station represents the technological advancement of the Pacific Northwest region through its role in managing hydroelectric power from federal dams.

The site sits in a remote part of Oregon and is not generally open to the public since it is an active power facility. Anyone interested in visiting should check in advance about access requirements and follow all site safety guidelines.

Adjacent to the main facility stood an abandoned high voltage testing station, originally planned for a connection to Hoover Dam that never materialized.

Location: Wasco County

Inception: 1970

GPS coordinates: 45.59380,-121.11300

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:01