GUACOLDA — Chile

GUACOLDA is a 760 MW coal power station in Atacama, Chile. It is operated by AES GENER S.A.. Based on its capacity (estimated), it can supply roughly 951k homes (estimated). It ranks #7 of 336 Chile power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 1995, it is around 31 years old — long-established. In context, coal supplies about 17.8% of Chile's electricity; the national grid averages 289 gCO₂/kWh (66.4% low-carbon) (2025).

Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id CHL0000053.

Data provenance

Source of the capacity and fuel values:

capacity: GEM · 2026 · L100000100188; fuel: WRI GPPD

In context: how this plant compares

At 760 MW, GUACOLDA is well above the median coal plant in Chile (478 MW). Technically it is described as subcritical. Coal plants burn pulverised coal to raise high-pressure steam for a turbine; they run as baseload but are the most carbon-intensive mainstream source and the first targeted for retirement or efficiency retrofits.

Capacity comparison computed from the WRI Global Power Plant Database; fuel-type context is general engineering background.

Key facts

Share of Chile coal capacity

6.1% of 12,437 MW across 22 plants in this dataset

Age among peers

2 of 7 dated coal plants in Chile are older

Calculated from the capacity and generation records in this dataset (WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0)).

Capacity vs largest coal plants in Chile

Installed capacity (MW), WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0).

Owner

Operated by AES GENER S.A..

Local climate & thermal context

This coal plant burns coal to raise high-pressure steam that spins a turbine-generator. It sits in a cold desert climate (Köppen BWk) — Southern Hemisphere, latitude 28.5°S — which shapes how much energy it can produce and how its output varies through the year.

Monthly mean temperature

Heating degree-days here run 50% 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: 29/100 — 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 corrosive environment (estimated ISO 9223 class C4 — High), 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 #5 largest coal power plant of 22 in Chile by capacity.

Chile has 22 coal power plants in this dataset, together about 12,437 MW of capacity.

Nearby power plants

• HUASCO · Oil · 57.7 MW · Atacama
• Punta Alcalde power station · Coal · 740 MW · Atacama
• Maitencillo power station · Oil · 68.4 MW · Atacama
• Andes Vallenar power station · Gas · 540 MW · Atacama
• RIO HUASCO · Hydro · 5 MW · Atacama
• Valleland II+III · Solar · 60 MW · Atacama

Location

Coordinates -28.4673, -71.2573 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.

Frequently asked questions