Frades II is a 736 MW hydro power station in Braga, Portugal. It is operated by EDP SA [100%]. Based on reported annual generation of 208 GWh, it can supply roughly 59k homes. It ranks #6 of 480 Portugal power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 2005, it is around 21 years old — relatively modern. As a non-combustion source, it has no direct CO₂ emissions from generation. In context, hydro supplies about 29.7% of Portugal's electricity; the national grid averages 128 gCO₂/kWh (81.0% low-carbon) (2025).
Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id WRI1023232.
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 736 MW, Frades II is well above the median hydro plant in Portugal (4.7 MW). Technically it is described as pumped 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
- 3%, from 208 GWh of reported generation
- Generation trend
- 441 GWh in 2015 and 208 GWh in 2017 (−53%)
- Highest and lowest year
- 2016: 702 GWh; 2017: 208 GWh
- Share of Portugal hydro capacity
- 27.1% of 2,718 MW across 122 plants in this dataset
- Age among peers
- 98 of 122 dated hydro plants in Portugal 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 EDP SA [100%].
Local climate & thermal context
This hydro plant converts the energy of falling or flowing water through hydro turbines. It sits in a warm-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen Csb) — Northern Hemisphere, latitude 41.7°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 6% 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: 48/100 — 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 #1 largest hydro power plant of 122 in Portugal by capacity.
Portugal has 122 hydro power plants in this dataset, together about 2,718 MW of capacity.
Nearby power plants
- Venda Nova · Hydro · 90 MW · Braga
- Serra da Cabreira · Wind · 20 MW · Braga
- Salamonde · Hydro · 42 MW · Braga
- Mesa do Galo I · Hydro · 1.6 MW · Braga
- Alto da Vaca · Wind · 2.4 MW · Braga
- Vilarchão · Wind · 2 MW · Braga
Location
Coordinates 41.6934, -8.0279 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is Frades II?
Frades II is a 736 MW hydro power plant in Braga, Portugal, commissioned in 2005.
How much electricity does Frades II generate?
Frades II generates about 208 GWh of electricity per year.
Who operates Frades II?
Frades II is operated by EDP SA [100%].