EMSLAND is a 1,363 MW nuclear power station in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is operated by RWE Generation SE [100%]. Based on reported annual generation of 10,752 GWh, it can supply roughly 3.1 million homes. It ranks #27 of 1,442 Germany power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 1988, it is around 38 years old — long-established. As a non-combustion source, it has no direct CO₂ emissions from generation. In context, nuclear supplies about 0.0% of Germany's electricity; the national grid averages 330 gCO₂/kWh (59.1% low-carbon) (2025).
Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id WRI1005659.
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: Wikidata P2109; fuel: WRI GPPD
In context: how this plant compares
At 1,363 MW, EMSLAND is around the median nuclear plant in Germany (1,302 MW). Technically it is described as boiling water reactor. Nuclear plants split uranium to raise steam with no direct CO₂; they run as steady baseload with very high capacity factors and the longest operating lifetimes of any thermal plant.
Capacity comparison computed from the WRI Global Power Plant Database; fuel-type context is general engineering background.
Key facts
- Load factor
- 90%, from 10,752 GWh of reported generation; the median for 7 nuclear plants in Germany that report generation is 82%
- Generation trend
- 10,286 GWh in 2015 and 10,752 GWh in 2017 (+5%)
- Highest and lowest year
- 2017: 10,752 GWh; 2015: 10,286 GWh
- Share of Germany nuclear capacity
- 5.1% of 26,528 MW across 25 plants in this dataset
- Age among peers
- 20 of 23 dated nuclear plants in Germany 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 RWE Generation SE [100%].
Local climate & thermal context
This nuclear plant uses heat from nuclear fission to raise steam for a turbine-generator. It sits in a temperate oceanic climate (Köppen Cfb) — Northern Hemisphere, latitude 52.5°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 26% 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: 65/100 — 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 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 #11 largest nuclear power plant of 25 in Germany by capacity.
Germany has 25 nuclear power plants in this dataset, together about 26,528 MW of capacity.
Nearby power plants
- Emsland · Gas · 1,837 MW · Lower Saxony
- Klausheide Solar Power Plant · Solar · 4.1 MW · Lower Saxony
- BP Werk Lingen · Gas · 66 MW · Lower Saxony
- Georgsdorf Solar Power Plant · Solar · 24.7 MW · Lower Saxony
- EBE Biomass power station · Biomass · 23 MW · Lower Saxony
- Emlichheim Solar Power Plant · Solar · 5 MW · Lower Saxony
Location
Coordinates 52.4716, 7.3204 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is EMSLAND?
EMSLAND is a 1,363 MW nuclear power plant in Lower Saxony, Germany, commissioned in 1988.
How much electricity does EMSLAND generate?
EMSLAND generates about 10,752 GWh of electricity per year.
Who operates EMSLAND?
EMSLAND is operated by RWE Generation SE [100%].