Esna is a 86 MW hydro power plant in Qina, Egypt. It is operated by Egyptian Electricity Holding Co [100%]. Based on reported annual generation of 535 GWh, it can supply roughly 153k homes. It ranks #61 of 89 Egypt power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 1993, it is around 33 years old — long-established. As a non-combustion source, it has no direct CO₂ emissions from generation. In context, hydro supplies about 6.1% of Egypt's electricity; the national grid averages 563 gCO₂/kWh (13.0% low-carbon) (2025).
Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id WRI1000108.
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 · L100000601564; fuel: WRI GPPD
In context: how this plant compares
Technically it is described as conventional storage. Hydropower converts the energy of falling or flowing water into electricity; output depends on rainfall and reservoir level, and large dams also provide grid balancing and storage.
Capacity comparison computed from the WRI Global Power Plant Database; fuel-type context is general engineering background.
Key facts
- Load factor
- 71%, from 535 GWh of reported generation
- Share of Egypt hydro capacity
- 3.1% of 2,800 MW across 4 plants in this dataset
- Age among peers
- 2 of 4 dated hydro plants in Egypt are older
Calculated from the capacity and generation records in this dataset (WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0)).
Capacity vs largest hydro plants in Egypt
Installed capacity (MW), WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0).
Owner
Operated by Egyptian Electricity Holding Co [100%].
Local climate & thermal context
This hydro plant converts the energy of falling or flowing water through hydro turbines. It sits in a hot desert climate (Köppen BWh) — Northern Hemisphere, latitude 25.3°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 92% 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: 16/100 — 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 benign, low-corrosion environment (estimated ISO 9223 class C1 — Very low), with dust abrasion 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 hydro power plant of 4 in Egypt by capacity.
Egypt has 4 hydro power plants in this dataset, together about 2,800 MW of capacity.
Nearby power plants
- Luxor Project power station · Gas · 2,250 MW · Luxor
- Qena power station · Gas · 1,300 MW · Qena
- BbSP} DT I · Solar · 20 MW · Aswan
- BbSP} Alcazar · Solar · 50 MW · Aswan
- BbSP} Infinity 1 · Solar · 50 MW · Aswan
- BbSP} SP II · Solar · 150 MW · Aswan
Location
Coordinates 25.3177, 32.5544 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is Esna?
Esna is a 86 MW hydro power plant in Qina, Egypt, commissioned in 1993.
How much electricity does Esna generate?
Esna generates about 535 GWh of electricity per year.
Who operates Esna?
Esna is operated by Egyptian Electricity Holding Co [100%].