HKW Merkenich (Natural Gas) is a 108 MW gas power station in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is operated by RheinEnergie AG. Based on reported annual generation of 142 GWh, it can supply roughly 41k homes. It ranks #235 of 1,442 Germany power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 2004, it is around 22 years old — relatively modern. In context, gas supplies about 16.5% of Germany's electricity; the national grid averages 330 gCO₂/kWh (59.1% low-carbon) (2025).
Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id WRI1005801.
Data status
Known data
Calculated from dataset
Not available
Known, modelled and calculated values are kept separate. Missing fields are shown as unavailable.
Capacity provenance
The public capacity above is the current source-record value. A 2026 tracker candidate lists 128 MW for Merkenich (Nord) power station, but it is not used as the public primary value until scope is verified (unit vs operating vs installed/project total).
Data provenance
Source of the capacity and fuel values:
capacity: GEM · 2026 · L100000101955; fuel: WRI GPPD
In context: how this plant compares
At 108 MW, HKW Merkenich (Natural Gas) is well above the median gas plant in Germany (52.9 MW). Gas plants burn natural gas either in open-cycle turbines for fast peaking, or in combined-cycle units that recover exhaust heat in an HRSG to reach roughly 55–62% efficiency — the cleanest-burning fossil option.
Capacity comparison computed from the WRI Global Power Plant Database; fuel-type context is general engineering background.
Key facts
- Load factor
- 15%, from 142 GWh of reported generation; the median for 20 gas plants in Germany that report generation is 18%
- Share of Germany gas capacity
- 0.3% of 37,245 MW across 241 plants in this dataset
- Age among peers
- 137 of 221 dated gas plants in Germany are older
Calculated from the capacity and generation records in this dataset (WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0)).
Capacity vs largest gas plants in Germany
Installed capacity (MW), WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0).
Owner
Operated by RheinEnergie AG. All plants by this company →
Local climate & thermal context
This gas plant burns natural gas in a turbine — often in a combined-cycle setup — to generate electricity. It sits in a temperate oceanic climate (Köppen Cfb) — Northern Hemisphere, latitude 51.0°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 14% above 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: 57/100 — this site sits in the mid third of the power plants we cover by heating degree-days.
A gas turbine here also runs ~0% below its ISO (15°C) rating at this annual mean (typical CCGT curve, estimate).
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 mild atmospheric environment (estimated ISO 9223 class C2 — Low), 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 #82 largest gas power plant of 241 in Germany by capacity.
Germany has 241 gas power plants in this dataset, together about 37,245 MW of capacity.
Nearby power plants
- Cologne-Merkenich power station · Coal · 75.3 MW · North Rhine-Westphalia
- HKW Merkenich · Gas · 15.5 MW · North Rhine-Westphalia
- Waste Incinerator #1 · Waste · 11.6 MW · North Rhine-Westphalia
- X-Kraftwerk · Gas · 27 MW · North Rhine-Westphalia
- RMVA Köln · Waste · 45.1 MW · North Rhine-Westphalia
- HKW Niehl 2 · Gas · 413 MW · North Rhine-Westphalia
Location
Coordinates 51.0178, 6.9643 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is HKW Merkenich (Natural Gas)?
HKW Merkenich (Natural Gas) is a 108 MW gas power plant in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, commissioned in 2004.
How much electricity does HKW Merkenich (Natural Gas) generate?
HKW Merkenich (Natural Gas) generates about 142 GWh of electricity per year.
Who operates HKW Merkenich (Natural Gas)?
HKW Merkenich (Natural Gas) is operated by RheinEnergie AG.