Abu Kir is a 2,236 MW gas power station in Al Buhayrah, Egypt. It is operated by Egyptian Electricity Holding Company (EEHC). Based on reported annual generation of 12,275 GWh, it can supply roughly 3.5 million homes. It ranks #12 of 89 Egypt power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 1983, it is around 43 years old — long-established. In context, gas supplies about 79.6% of Egypt's electricity; the national grid averages 563 gCO₂/kWh (13.0% low-carbon) (2025).
Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id WRI1000099.
Data status
Known data
Calculated from dataset
Known, modelled and calculated values are kept separate. Missing fields are shown as unavailable.
Data provenance
Capacity and fuel are the upstream open-dataset record, not yet matched to a 2026 registry or GEM entry.
capacity: WRI GPPD; fuel: WRI GPPD
In context: how this plant compares
At 2,236 MW, Abu Kir is well above the median gas plant in Egypt (682.5 MW). Technically it is described as Steam. Gas plants burn natural gas either in open-cycle turbines for fast peaking, or in combined-cycle units that recover exhaust heat in an HRSG to reach roughly 55–62% efficiency — the cleanest-burning fossil option.
Capacity comparison computed from the WRI Global Power Plant Database; fuel-type context is general engineering background.
Key facts
- Load factor
- 63%, from 12,275 GWh of reported generation; the median for 30 gas plants in Egypt that report generation is 47%
- Share of Egypt gas capacity
- 4.4% of 51,243 MW across 48 plants in this dataset
- Age among peers
- 1 of 43 dated gas plants in Egypt is older
Calculated from the capacity and generation records in this dataset (WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0)).
Capacity vs largest gas plants in Egypt
Installed capacity (MW), WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0).
Owner
Operated by Egyptian Electricity Holding Company (EEHC).
Local climate & thermal context
This gas plant burns natural gas in a turbine — often in a combined-cycle setup — to generate electricity. It sits in a hot desert climate (Köppen BWh) — Northern Hemisphere, latitude 31.3°N — which shapes how much energy it can produce and how its output varies through the year.
Monthly mean temperature
Heating degree-days here run 86% below the median power plant in this dataset — a proxy for how much extra energy heated equipment must replace through its surfaces in winter.
Climate heat-demand index: 18/100 — this site sits in the bottom third of the power plants we cover by heating degree-days.
A gas turbine here also runs ~4% below its ISO (15°C) rating at this annual mean (typical CCGT curve, estimate).
Climate normals: WorldClim 2.1 (1970–2000 monthly normals, 10 arc-min, CC BY 4.0); zone: Köppen-Geiger world climate classification (Kottek et al. 2006, 0.5° grid). Degree-days & heat-demand index computed by PowerAtlas — a modelled heat-demand proxy, not a measured site figure.
Site climate & environmental severity
This site sits in an aggressive, high-corrosion environment (estimated ISO 9223 class C5 — Very high), with marine salt corrosion the leading environmental stress.
Indicative estimate via the ISO 9223:2012 informative method (atmospheric corrosivity from temperature, time-of-wetness and airborne salinity), using WorldClim climate normals, the Köppen-Geiger class and coast distance. Indicative, not a measured corrosion rate.
How it compares & nearby plants
The #8 largest gas power plant of 48 in Egypt by capacity.
Egypt has 48 gas power plants in this dataset, together about 51,243 MW of capacity.
Nearby power plants
- Mediterranean Sea Floating power station · Gas · 125 MW ·
- El-Seiuf · Gas · 200 MW · Alexandria
- Kafr El-Dawar · Gas · 440 MW · Al Buhayrah
- Karmouz · Oil · 23 MW · Alexandria
- Damanhour · Gas · 458 MW · Al Buhayrah
- El-Atf · Gas · 750 MW · Kafr ash Shaykh
Location
Coordinates 31.2694, 30.1409 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is Abu Kir?
Abu Kir is a 2,236 MW gas power plant in Al Buhayrah, Egypt, commissioned in 1983.
How much electricity does Abu Kir generate?
Abu Kir generates about 12,275 GWh of electricity per year.
Who operates Abu Kir?
Abu Kir is operated by Egyptian Electricity Holding Company (EEHC).