Lares is a 826 MW gas power station in Coimbra, Portugal. It is operated by EDP SA [100%]. Based on reported annual generation of 3,397 GWh, it can supply roughly 971k homes. It ranks #5 of 480 Portugal power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 2009, it is around 17 years old — relatively modern. In context, gas supplies about 16.4% of Portugal's electricity; the national grid averages 128 gCO₂/kWh (81.0% low-carbon) (2025).
Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id WRI1023231.
Data status
Known data
Calculated from dataset
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 · L100000400587; fuel: WRI GPPD
In context: how this plant compares
At 826 MW, Lares is well above the median gas plant in Portugal (80 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
- Load factor
- 47%, from 3,397 GWh of reported generation
- Generation trend
- 1,845 GWh in 2015 and 3,397 GWh in 2017 (+84%)
- Highest and lowest year
- 2017: 3,397 GWh; 2015: 1,845 GWh
- Share of Portugal gas capacity
- 18.9% of 4,359 MW across 13 plants in this dataset
- Age among peers
- 5 of 12 dated gas plants in Portugal are older
Calculated from the capacity and generation records in this dataset (WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0)).
Reported generation trend
Annual generation (GWh), WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0).
Owner
Operated by EDP SA [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 warm-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen Csb) — Northern Hemisphere, latitude 40.1°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 53% 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: 28/100 — this site sits in the bottom 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 an aggressive, high-corrosion environment (estimated ISO 9223 class C5 — Very high), with marine salt corrosion 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 #4 largest gas power plant of 13 in Portugal by capacity.
Portugal has 13 gas power plants in this dataset, together about 4,359 MW of capacity.
Nearby power plants
- Neuötting · Hydro · 26.1 MW · Coimbra
- Cogeração da Figueira da Foz (Lavos) · Biomass · 95 MW · Coimbra
- Figueira da Foz Industrial Complex power station · Gas · 67 MW · Coimbra
- Serra da Boa Viagem · Wind · 6 MW · Coimbra
- Termoeléctrica da Figueira da Foz · Biomass · 34.3 MW · Coimbra
- Cogeração Celbi · Biomass · 70 MW · Coimbra
Location
Coordinates 40.1245, -8.775 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is Lares?
Lares is a 826 MW gas power plant in Coimbra, Portugal, commissioned in 2009.
How much electricity does Lares generate?
Lares generates about 3,397 GWh of electricity per year.
Who operates Lares?
Lares is operated by EDP SA [100%].