GOLFECH is a 2,726 MW nuclear power station in Midi-Pyrenees, France. It is operated by Électricité de France (EDF). Based on reported annual generation of 17,811 GWh, it can supply roughly 5.1 million homes. It ranks #17 of 2,216 France power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 1991, it is around 35 years old — long-established. As a non-combustion source, it has no direct CO₂ emissions from generation. In context, nuclear supplies about 68.8% of France's electricity; the national grid averages 41 gCO₂/kWh (94.9% low-carbon) (2025).
Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id WRI1002733.
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 · L100000500036; fuel: WRI GPPD
In context: how this plant compares
At 2,726 MW, GOLFECH is below the median nuclear plant in France (3,122 MW). Technically it is described as pressurized 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
- 75%, from 17,811 GWh of reported generation; the median for 19 nuclear plants in France that report generation is 70%
- Generation trend
- 18,804 GWh in 2015 and 17,811 GWh in 2017 (−5%)
- Highest and lowest year
- 2016: 19,791 GWh; 2017: 17,811 GWh
- Share of France nuclear capacity
- 3.6% of 74,927 MW across 23 plants in this dataset
- Age among peers
- 19 of 21 dated nuclear plants in France 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 Électricité de France (EDF).
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 44.1°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 16% 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: 44/100 — 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 #17 largest nuclear power plant of 23 in France by capacity.
France has 23 nuclear power plants in this dataset, together about 74,927 MW of capacity.
Nearby power plants
- Lamagistere · Solar · 4.31 MW · Midi-Pyrenees
- Miradoux · Solar · 9 MW · Aquitaine
- Boé · Solar · 5.5 MW · Aquitaine
- Le Passage · Solar · 1.8 MW · Aquitaine
- Fonroche · Solar · 4 MW · Aquitaine
- Lectoure · Solar · 1.8 MW · Midi-Pyrenees
Location
Coordinates 44.106, 0.8443 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is GOLFECH?
GOLFECH is a 2,726 MW nuclear power plant in Midi-Pyrenees, France, commissioned in 1991.
How much electricity does GOLFECH generate?
GOLFECH generates about 17,811 GWh of electricity per year.
Who operates GOLFECH?
GOLFECH is operated by Électricité de France (EDF).