ELSTA — Netherlands
Gas power plant in Zeeland, Netherlands. Approximate location 51.3331, 3.7787.
GasZeelandNetherlandsCCGT · HRSGCO₂ measured
ELSTA is a 460 MW gas power station in Zeeland, Netherlands. It is operated by TenneT. Based on reported annual generation of 1,279 GWh, it can supply roughly 365k homes. It ranks #21 of 119 Netherlands power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 1998, it is around 28 years old — long-established. Its annual emissions of 3,213,618 t CO₂/yr (EU ETS verified (EUTL 2023)) are equivalent to about 749k cars driven for a year. 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 WRI1005509.
Data status
Known 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 · L100000400519; fuel: WRI GPPD
In context: how this plant compares
At 460 MW, ELSTA 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.
3,213,618 t CO₂/yr — in everyday terms
This facility's annual emissions are roughly equivalent to:
Equivalencies via US EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies; emissions per EU ETS verified (EUTL 2023) (measured for US EPA/EU ETS, modelled for Climate TRACE).
Key facts
- Load factor
- 32%, from 1,279 GWh of reported generation; the median for 6 gas plants in Netherlands that report generation is 37%
- Generation trend
- 854 GWh in 2015 and 1,279 GWh in 2017 (+50%)
- Highest and lowest year
- 2017: 1,279 GWh; 2015: 854 GWh
- Share of Netherlands gas capacity
- 3.1% of 14,954 MW across 42 plants in this dataset
- Age among peers
- 19 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 TenneT.
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 51.3°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 12% 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: 56/100 — 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 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 #12 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
- Koegorspolder · Wind · 44 MW · Zeeland
- Sluiskil Works power station · Gas · 68 MW · Zeeland
- Borssele Nuclear Power Station · Nuclear · 515 MW · Zeeland
- EPZ · Wind · 24 MW · Zeeland
- Sloe · Gas · 870 MW · Zeeland
- Zelzate TJ · Oil · 18.6 MW · Flanders
Location
Coordinates 51.3331, 3.7787 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is ELSTA?
ELSTA is a 460 MW gas power plant in Zeeland, Netherlands, commissioned in 1998.
How much electricity does ELSTA generate?
ELSTA generates about 1,279 GWh of electricity per year.
Who operates ELSTA?
ELSTA is operated by TenneT.
How much CO₂ does ELSTA emit?
ELSTA has measured emissions of about 3,213,618 tonnes of CO₂ per year (EU ETS verified (EUTL 2023)).