Hemrin Dam is a 50 MW hydro power plant in Diyala, Iraq. It is operated by Iraq's Ministry of Water Resources. Based on its capacity (estimated), it can supply roughly 50k homes (estimated). It ranks #87 of 91 Iraq power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 1981, it is around 45 years old — long-established. As a non-combustion source, it has no direct CO₂ emissions from generation. In context, hydro supplies about 1.3% of Iraq's electricity; the national grid averages 683 gCO₂/kWh (1.6% low-carbon) (2024).
Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id WRI1008720.
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 · L100001023098; fuel: WRI GPPD
In context: how this plant compares
At 50 MW, Hemrin Dam is below the median hydro plant in Iraq (240 MW). 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
- Share of Iraq hydro capacity
- 1.9% of 2,566 MW across 8 plants in this dataset
- Age among peers
- 3 of 8 dated hydro plants in Iraq 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 Iraq
Installed capacity (MW), WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0).
Owner
Operated by Iraq's Ministry of Water Resources.
Local climate & thermal context
This hydro plant converts the energy of falling or flowing water through hydro turbines. It sits in a hot semi-arid steppe climate (Köppen BSh) — Northern Hemisphere, latitude 34.1°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 73% 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: 22/100 — 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 #7 largest hydro power plant of 8 in Iraq by capacity.
Iraq has 8 hydro power plants in this dataset, together about 2,566 MW of capacity.
Nearby power plants
- Mansurya power station · Gas · 1,840 MW · Diyala
- Adhaim Dam · Hydro · 27 MW · Salah ad Din Governorate
- Al-Quds · Oil · 1,250 MW · Mayorality of Baghdad
- Sadr · Gas · 320 MW · Mayorality of Baghdad
- Taji 1 · Gas · 316 MW · Mayorality of Baghdad
- Samarra Diesel power plant · Oil · 340 MW · Salah al-Din
Location
Coordinates 34.1115, 44.9737 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is Hemrin Dam?
Hemrin Dam is a 50 MW hydro power plant in Diyala, Iraq, commissioned in 1981.
Who operates Hemrin Dam?
Hemrin Dam is operated by Iraq's Ministry of Water Resources.