Baalback is a 35 MW oil power plant in Baalbek-Hermel, Lebanon. It is operated by Electricity Of Lebanon [100%]. Based on its capacity (estimated), it can supply roughly 26k homes (estimated). It ranks #9 of 10 Lebanon power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 1996, it is around 30 years old — long-established. In context, oil supplies about 56.2% of Lebanon's electricity; the national grid averages 390 gCO₂/kWh (43.8% low-carbon) (2024).
Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id WRI1023666.
Data status
Known data
Calculated from dataset
Not available
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 35 MW, Baalback is below the median oil plant in Lebanon (70 MW). Technically it is described as Steam. 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 Lebanon oil capacity
- 2.7% of 1,315 MW across 7 plants in this dataset
- Age among peers
- 5 of 7 dated oil plants in Lebanon 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 Lebanon
Installed capacity (MW), WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0).
Owner
Operated by Electricity Of Lebanon [100%].
Local climate & thermal context
This oil plant burns oil or diesel to drive turbines or reciprocating engines. It sits in a warm-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen Csb) — Northern Hemisphere, latitude 34.0°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 10% above 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: 54/100 — this site sits in the mid 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 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 #6 largest oil power plant of 7 in Lebanon by capacity.
Lebanon has 7 oil power plants in this dataset, together about 1,315 MW of capacity.
Nearby power plants
- Zahle Power Plant · Oil · 60 MW · Beqaa
- Nasrieh Gas power plant · Gas · 837.5 MW · Rif-Dimashq
- Al Nasryeh (Nasserieh) OCGT Power Plant Syria · Gas · 384 MW · Rif-dimashq
- Zouk 1 · Oil · 642.8 MW · Mont-Liban
- Hreishi · Oil · 70 MW · Liban-Nord
- Deir Ammar · Gas · 465 MW · Liban-Nord
Location
Coordinates 34.0209, 36.1919 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is Baalback?
Baalback is a 35 MW oil power plant in Baalbek-Hermel, Lebanon, commissioned in 1996.
Who operates Baalback?
Baalback is operated by Electricity Of Lebanon [100%].