KAPCO power station is a 1,600 MW gas power station in Punjab, Pakistan. It is operated by Kot Addu Power Co Ltd [100%]. Based on its capacity (estimated), it can supply roughly 1.8 million homes (estimated). It ranks #4 of 122 Pakistan power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 1996, it is around 30 years old — long-established. In context, gas supplies about 21.0% of Pakistan's electricity; the national grid averages 347 gCO₂/kWh (54.9% low-carbon) (2025).
Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id GOGPT_kapco_pakist.
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 · L100000406020; fuel: GEM GOGPT
In context: how this plant compares
At 1,600 MW, KAPCO power station is well above the median gas plant in Pakistan (227 MW). Technically it is described as CCGT; combined-cycle with a heat-recovery steam generator (HRSG). 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
- Share of Pakistan gas capacity
- 10.0% of 15,945 MW across 31 plants in this dataset
- Age among peers
- 5 of 28 dated gas plants in Pakistan 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 Pakistan
Installed capacity (MW), WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0).
Owner
Operated by Kot Addu Power Co Ltd [100%].
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 hot desert climate (Köppen BWh) — Northern Hemisphere, latitude 30.4°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 85% 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: 19/100 — this site sits in the bottom third of the power plants we cover by heating degree-days.
A gas turbine here also runs ~7% 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 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 #2 largest gas power plant of 31 in Pakistan by capacity.
Pakistan has 31 gas power plants in this dataset, together about 15,945 MW of capacity.
Nearby power plants
- Kot Addu Power Company ltd. · Hydro · 1,368 MW · Punjab
- Mouza Saddan Wali power station · Coal · 1,320 MW · Punjab
- Muzaffargarh Sugar Mill · Coal · 120 MW · Punjab
- Mahmoodkot power station · Coal · 660 MW · Punjab
- AES Lalpir Ltd. Mahmood Kot Muzaffargarh · Oil · 362 MW · Punjab
- Pak Gen (Pvt) Limited · Oil · 365 MW · Punjab
Location
Coordinates 30.445841, 70.982274 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is KAPCO power station?
KAPCO power station is a 1,600 MW gas power plant in Punjab, Pakistan, commissioned in 1996.
Who operates KAPCO power station?
KAPCO power station is operated by Kot Addu Power Co Ltd [100%].