Eems — Netherlands
Gas power plant in Groningen, Netherlands. Approximate location 53.4441, 6.856.
GasGroningenNetherlandsCCGT · HRSG
Eems is a 1,931 MW gas power station in Groningen, Netherlands. It is operated by Electrabel. Based on reported annual generation of 5,216 GWh, it can supply roughly 1.5 million homes. It ranks #1 of 119 Netherlands power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 1996, it is around 30 years old — long-established. In context, gas supplies about 34.9% of Netherlands's electricity; the national grid averages 254 gCO₂/kWh (54.2% low-carbon) (2025).
Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id WRI1019288.
Data status
Known data
Calculated from dataset
Known, modelled and calculated values are kept separate. Missing fields are shown as unavailable.
Capacity provenance
The public capacity above is the current source-record value. A 2026 tracker candidate lists 1,931 MW for EEM power station, but it is not used as the public primary value until scope is verified (unit vs operating vs installed/project total).
Data provenance
Source of the capacity and fuel values:
capacity: GEM · 2026 · L100000400513; fuel: WRI GPPD
In context: how this plant compares
At 1,931 MW, Eems is well above the median gas plant in Netherlands (120 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
- 31%, from 5,216 GWh of reported generation; the median for 6 gas plants in Netherlands that report generation is 37%
- Generation trend
- 3,889 GWh in 2015 and 5,216 GWh in 2017 (+34%)
- Highest and lowest year
- 2016: 5,712 GWh; 2015: 3,889 GWh
- Share of Netherlands gas capacity
- 12.9% of 14,954 MW across 42 plants in this dataset
- Age among peers
- 17 of 36 dated gas plants in Netherlands 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 Electrabel.
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 53.4°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 29% 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: 67/100 — this site sits in the top 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 corrosive environment (estimated ISO 9223 class C4 — High), 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 #1 largest gas power plant of 42 in Netherlands by capacity.
Netherlands has 42 gas power plants in this dataset, together about 14,954 MW of capacity.
Nearby power plants
- Magnum · Gas · 1,290 MW · Groningen
- Westereems · Wind · 162 MW · Groningen
- Eemshaven · Coal · 1,600 MW · Groningen
- Delfzijl Zuid · Wind · 78.2 MW · Groningen
- Delesto · Gas · 523 MW · Groningen
- Eneco Bio Golden Raand power station · Biomass · 49 MW · Groningen
Location
Coordinates 53.4441, 6.856 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is Eems?
Eems is a 1,931 MW gas power plant in Groningen, Netherlands, commissioned in 1996.
How much electricity does Eems generate?
Eems generates about 5,216 GWh of electricity per year.
Who operates Eems?
Eems is operated by Electrabel.