ARRUBAL GRUPO 1 is a 784.7 MW gas power station in La Rioja, Spain. It is operated by CONTOUR GLOBAL LA RIOJA S.L.. Based on reported annual generation of 1,689 GWh, it can supply roughly 483k homes. It ranks #40 of 899 Spain power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 2005, it is around 21 years old — relatively modern. Its modelled annual emissions are 353,050 t CO₂/yr (Climate TRACE), equivalent to about 82k cars driven for a year. 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 WRI1006210.
Data status
Known data
Modelled source 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 · L100000400652; fuel: WRI GPPD
In context: how this plant compares
At 784.7 MW, ARRUBAL 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.
~353,050 t CO₂/yr (modelled) — in everyday terms
This facility's annual emissions are roughly equivalent to:
Equivalencies via US EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies; modelled emissions from Climate TRACE.
Key facts
- Load factor
- 25%, from 1,689 GWh of reported generation; the median for 24 gas plants in Spain that report generation is 15%
- Generation trend
- 586 GWh in 2015 and 1,689 GWh in 2017 (+188%)
- Highest and lowest year
- 2017: 1,689 GWh; 2015: 586 GWh
- Share of Spain gas capacity
- 2.5% 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 CONTOUR GLOBAL LA RIOJA S.L..
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 temperate oceanic climate (Köppen Cfb) — Northern Hemisphere, latitude 42.4°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 16% 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: 44/100 — this site sits in the mid third of the power plants we cover by heating degree-days.
A gas turbine here also runs ~0% 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 moderately corrosive environment (estimated ISO 9223 class C3 — Medium), with humidity / wetness 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 #22 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
- Mendavia · Solar · 4 MW · La Rioja
- Lazagurría · Solar · 4 MW · Navarre
- Arbante · Solar · 11.3 MW · La Rioja
- Arnedo · Solar · 34 MW · La Rioja
- P. E. ESCURRILLO · Wind · 49.5 MW · La Rioja
- P.E. LARRIBA - HORNILLOS (2 FASE 31/5/05) · Wind · 32 MW · La Rioja
Location
Coordinates 42.4194, -2.2511 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is ARRUBAL GRUPO 1?
ARRUBAL GRUPO 1 is a 784.7 MW gas power plant in La Rioja, Spain, commissioned in 2005.
How much electricity does ARRUBAL GRUPO 1 generate?
ARRUBAL GRUPO 1 generates about 1,689 GWh of electricity per year.
Who operates ARRUBAL GRUPO 1?
ARRUBAL GRUPO 1 is operated by CONTOUR GLOBAL LA RIOJA S.L..
How much CO₂ does ARRUBAL GRUPO 1 emit?
ARRUBAL GRUPO 1 has modelled emissions of about 353,050 tonnes of CO₂ per year (Climate TRACE).