HPP Vidraru is a 219 MW hydro power station in Arges, Romania. It is operated by SC Hidroelectrica [100%]. Based on its capacity (estimated), it can supply roughly 219k homes (estimated). It ranks #30 of 97 Romania power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 1966, it is around 60 years old — an older, legacy facility. As a non-combustion source, it has no direct CO₂ emissions from generation. In context, hydro supplies about 24.3% of Romania's electricity; the national grid averages 251 gCO₂/kWh (67.5% low-carbon) (2025).
Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id WRI1019112.
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 · L100000603229; fuel: WRI GPPD
In context: how this plant compares
At 219 MW, HPP Vidraru is around the median hydro plant in Romania (219 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 Romania hydro capacity
- 6.6% of 3,328 MW across 10 plants in this dataset
- Age among peers
- 1 of 9 dated hydro plants in Romania is 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 Romania
Installed capacity (MW), WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0).
Owner
Operated by SC Hidroelectrica [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 humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb) — Northern Hemisphere, latitude 45.4°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 54% 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: 81/100 — this site sits in the top 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 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 #5 largest hydro power plant of 10 in Romania by capacity.
Romania has 10 hydro power plants in this dataset, together about 3,328 MW of capacity.
Nearby power plants
- Ucea de Sus · Solar · 55 MW · Brasov
- Ucea de Sus E · Solar · 14.2 MW · Brasov
- Chimcomplex power station · Gas · 108 MW · Valcea
- TPP Govora · Coal · 177 MW · Valcea
- Ciech Soda power station · Gas · 230 MW · Valcea
- HPP Lotru · Hydro · 509 MW · Valcea
Location
Coordinates 45.3667, 24.6307 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is HPP Vidraru?
HPP Vidraru is a 219 MW hydro power plant in Arges, Romania, commissioned in 1966.
Who operates HPP Vidraru?
HPP Vidraru is operated by SC Hidroelectrica [100%].