Al-Mussaib is a 1,280 MW oil power station in Babil, Iraq. It is operated by Iraq's Ministry of Electricity. Based on its capacity (estimated), it can supply roughly 961k homes (estimated). It ranks #22 of 91 Iraq power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 2013, it is around 13 years old — relatively modern. In context, oil supplies about 45.4% of Iraq's electricity; the national grid averages 683 gCO₂/kWh (1.6% low-carbon) (2024).
Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id WRI1008710.
Data status
Known data
Calculated from dataset
Not available
Known, modelled and calculated values are kept separate. Missing fields are shown as unavailable.
Capacity provenance
The public capacity above is the current source-record value. A 2026 tracker candidate lists 500 MW for Al-Mussaib Gas power plant, but it is not used as the public primary value until scope is verified (unit vs operating vs installed/project total).
Data provenance
Source of the capacity and fuel values:
capacity: GEM · 2026 · L100000408280; fuel: WRI GPPD
In context: how this plant compares
At 1,280 MW, Al-Mussaib is well above the median oil plant in Iraq (300 MW). Technically it is described as OCGT. Oil-fired plants burn heavy fuel oil or diesel, usually as peaking or backup capacity on islands and grids without gas pipelines; high fuel cost keeps their utilisation low.
Capacity comparison computed from the WRI Global Power Plant Database; fuel-type context is general engineering background.
Key facts
- Share of Iraq oil capacity
- 6.4% of 19,949 MW across 28 plants in this dataset
- Age among peers
- 11 of 18 dated oil plants in Iraq are older
Calculated from the capacity and generation records in this dataset (WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0)).
Capacity vs largest oil plants in Iraq
Installed capacity (MW), WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0).
Owner
Operated by Iraq's Ministry of Electricity. All plants by this company →
Local climate & thermal context
This oil plant burns oil or diesel to drive turbines or reciprocating engines. It sits in a hot desert climate (Köppen BWh) — Northern Hemisphere, latitude 32.8°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 73% 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: 23/100 — this site sits in the bottom third of the power plants we cover by heating degree-days.
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 a benign, low-corrosion environment (estimated ISO 9223 class C1 — Very low), with dust abrasion 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 #7 largest oil power plant of 28 in Iraq by capacity.
Iraq has 28 oil power plants in this dataset, together about 19,949 MW of capacity.
Nearby power plants
- Al-Mansurya · Gas · 728 MW · Babil
- Al- Yusufiyah power plant · Oil · 1,820 MW · Baghdad
- Hillah 2 power station · Gas · 375 MW · Babylon (Babil)
- East Karbla Diesel power station · Oil · 300 MW · Karbala
- Hillah power station · Gas · 144.9 MW · Babylon
- Al-Khairat power station · Gas · 5,835 MW · Kerbala
Location
Coordinates 32.8407, 44.2749 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is Al-Mussaib?
Al-Mussaib is a 1,280 MW oil power plant in Babil, Iraq, commissioned in 2013.
Who operates Al-Mussaib?
Al-Mussaib is operated by Iraq's Ministry of Electricity.