ARCOS DE LA FRONTERA GRUPO 1 is a 1,585.4 MW gas power station in Andalusia, Spain. It is operated by IBERDROLA GENERACION S.A.. Based on reported annual generation of 888 GWh, it can supply roughly 254k homes. It ranks #5 of 899 Spain power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 2005, it is around 21 years old — relatively modern. In context, gas supplies about 21.6% of Spain's electricity; the national grid averages 154 gCO₂/kWh (74.6% low-carbon) (2025).
Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id WRI1006203.
Data status
Known data
Calculated from dataset
Known, modelled and calculated values are kept separate. Missing fields are shown as unavailable.
Data provenance
Source of the capacity and fuel values:
capacity: GEM · 2026 · L100000400649; fuel: WRI GPPD
In context: how this plant compares
At 1,585.4 MW, ARCOS DE LA FRONTERA GRUPO 1 is well above the median gas plant in Spain (54 MW). Technically it is described as CCGT; combined-cycle with a heat-recovery steam generator (HRSG). 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
- 6%, from 888 GWh of reported generation; the median for 24 gas plants in Spain that report generation is 15%
- Generation trend
- 198 GWh in 2015 and 888 GWh in 2017 (+348%)
- Highest and lowest year
- 2016: 909 GWh; 2015: 198 GWh
- Share of Spain gas capacity
- 5.0% of 32,018 MW across 95 plants in this dataset
- Age among peers
- 38 of 83 dated gas plants in Spain are older
Calculated from the capacity and generation records in this dataset (WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0)).
Reported generation trend
Annual generation (GWh), WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0).
Owner
Operated by IBERDROLA GENERACION S.A.. All plants by this company →
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-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen Csa) — Northern Hemisphere, latitude 36.7°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 61% 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: 26/100 — this site sits in the bottom third of the power plants we cover by heating degree-days.
A gas turbine here also runs ~1% 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 a corrosive environment (estimated ISO 9223 class C4 — High), with marine 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 #2 largest gas power plant of 95 in Spain by capacity.
Spain has 95 gas power plants in this dataset, together about 32,018 MW of capacity.
Nearby power plants
- Arcosol CSP · Solar · 49.9 MW · Andalusia
- San José del Valle CSP · Solar · 49.9 MW · Andalusia
- P. E. LOS ALBUREJOS · Wind · 10 MW · Andalusia
- P. E. CORTIJO DE GUERRA I · Wind · 40.8 MW · Andalusia
- P.E. ALIJAR · Wind · 24 MW · Andalusia
- PARQUE EOLICO CORTIJO DE GUERRA II · Wind · 28 MW · Andalusia
Location
Coordinates 36.6721, -5.8164 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is ARCOS DE LA FRONTERA GRUPO 1?
ARCOS DE LA FRONTERA GRUPO 1 is a 1,585.4 MW gas power plant in Andalusia, Spain, commissioned in 2005.
How much electricity does ARCOS DE LA FRONTERA GRUPO 1 generate?
ARCOS DE LA FRONTERA GRUPO 1 generates about 888 GWh of electricity per year.
Who operates ARCOS DE LA FRONTERA GRUPO 1?
ARCOS DE LA FRONTERA GRUPO 1 is operated by IBERDROLA GENERACION S.A..