Bir Mcherga 1 is a 496 MW gas power station in Zaghwan, Tunisia. It is operated by Tunisian Company of Electricity and Gas [100%]. Based on its capacity (estimated), it can supply roughly 559k homes (estimated). It ranks #3 of 30 Tunisia power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 1997, it is around 29 years old — long-established. In context, gas supplies about 94.9% of Tunisia's electricity; the national grid averages 560 gCO₂/kWh (4.0% low-carbon) (2025).
Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id WRI1023605.
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
Source of the capacity and fuel values:
capacity: GEM · 2026 · L100000406166; fuel: WRI GPPD
In context: how this plant compares
At 496 MW, Bir Mcherga 1 is well above the median gas plant in Tunisia (357 MW). Technically it is described as OCGT. 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
- Share of Tunisia gas capacity
- 7.8% of 6,360 MW across 22 plants in this dataset
- Age among peers
- 11 of 21 dated gas plants in Tunisia are 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 Tunisia
Installed capacity (MW), WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0).
Owner
Operated by Tunisian Company of Electricity and Gas [100%].
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 36.5°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 58% 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 ~2% 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 #3 largest gas power plant of 22 in Tunisia by capacity.
Tunisia has 22 gas power plants in this dataset, together about 6,360 MW of capacity.
Nearby power plants
- Mornaguia power station · Gas · 624 MW · Manouba
- Tunis - Sud 1 · Gas · 66 MW · Bin 'Arus
- Rades A1 · Gas · 700 MW · Tunis
- IPP Rades 2 · Gas · 470 MW · Tunis
- Goulette · Gas · 120 MW · Tunis
- Aroussia · Hydro · 4.8 MW · Manouba
Location
Coordinates 36.4634, 10.0567 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is Bir Mcherga 1?
Bir Mcherga 1 is a 496 MW gas power plant in Zaghwan, Tunisia, commissioned in 1997.
Who operates Bir Mcherga 1?
Bir Mcherga 1 is operated by Tunisian Company of Electricity and Gas [100%].