Cao Ngan is a 115 MW coal power station in Thai Nguyen, Vietnam. It is operated by Vinacomin. Based on its capacity (estimated), it can supply roughly 144k homes (estimated). It ranks #128 of 298 Vietnam power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 2006, it is around 20 years old — relatively modern. In context, coal supplies about 48.1% of Vietnam's electricity; the national grid averages 461 gCO₂/kWh (45.4% low-carbon) (2025).
Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id WRI1030774.
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 · L100000104343; fuel: WRI GPPD
In context: how this plant compares
At 115 MW, Cao Ngan is below the median coal plant in Vietnam (650 MW). Technically it is described as subcritical. Coal plants burn pulverised coal to raise high-pressure steam for a turbine; they run as baseload but are the most carbon-intensive mainstream source and the first targeted for retirement or efficiency retrofits.
Capacity comparison computed from the WRI Global Power Plant Database; fuel-type context is general engineering background.
Key facts
- Share of Vietnam coal capacity
- 0.2% of 64,702 MW across 51 plants in this dataset
- Age among peers
- 4 of 31 dated coal plants in Vietnam are older
Calculated from the capacity and generation records in this dataset (WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0)).
Capacity vs largest coal plants in Vietnam
Installed capacity (MW), WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0).
Owner
Operated by Vinacomin.
Local climate & thermal context
This coal plant burns coal to raise high-pressure steam that spins a turbine-generator. It sits in a humid subtropical (dry winter) climate (Köppen Cwa) — Northern Hemisphere, latitude 21.6°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 95% 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: 15/100 — 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 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 #44 largest coal power plant of 51 in Vietnam by capacity.
Vietnam has 51 coal power plants in this dataset, together about 64,702 MW of capacity.
Nearby power plants
- An Khanh I · Coal · 100 MW · Thai Nguyen
- Ho Nui Coc · Hydro · 1.9 MW · Thai Nguyen
- Mao Khe · Coal · 440 MW · Ha Noi
- Bao Dai power station · Coal · 600 MW · Bắc Giang
- Nam Cat · Hydro · 3.2 MW · Bac Kan
- Phu Tho power station · Coal · 600 MW · Phú Thọ
Location
Coordinates 21.613, 105.82 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is Cao Ngan?
Cao Ngan is a 115 MW coal power plant in Thai Nguyen, Vietnam, commissioned in 2006.
Who operates Cao Ngan?
Cao Ngan is operated by Vinacomin.