LOS BARRIOS is a 570 MW coal power station in Andalusia, Spain. It is operated by VIESGO GENERACION S.L.. Based on reported annual generation of 3,141 GWh, it can supply roughly 897k homes. It ranks #52 of 899 Spain power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 1985, it is around 41 years old — long-established. In context, coal supplies about 0.3% of Spain's electricity; the national grid averages 154 gCO₂/kWh (74.6% low-carbon) (2025).
Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id WRI1006636.
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: Wikidata P2109; fuel: WRI GPPD
In context: how this plant compares
At 570 MW, LOS BARRIOS is well above the median coal plant in Spain (515.6 MW). Technically it is described as subcritical. Coal plants burn pulverised coal to raise high-pressure steam for a turbine; they run as baseload but are the most carbon-intensive mainstream source and the first targeted for retirement or efficiency retrofits.
Capacity comparison computed from the WRI Global Power Plant Database; fuel-type context is general engineering background.
Key facts
- Load factor
- 63%, from 3,141 GWh of reported generation; the median for 12 coal plants in Spain that report generation is 51%
- Generation trend
- 3,822 GWh in 2015 and 3,141 GWh in 2017 (−18%)
- Highest and lowest year
- 2015: 3,822 GWh; 2016: 2,353 GWh
- Share of Spain coal capacity
- 4.6% of 12,360 MW across 24 plants in this dataset
- Age among peers
- 17 of 23 dated coal plants in Spain 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 VIESGO GENERACION S.L.. All plants by this company →
Local climate & thermal context
This coal plant burns coal to raise high-pressure steam that spins a turbine-generator. It sits in a hot-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen Csa) — Northern Hemisphere, latitude 36.2°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 69% 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: 24/100 — 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 corrosive environment (estimated ISO 9223 class C4 — High), with marine 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 #8 largest coal power plant of 24 in Spain by capacity.
Spain has 24 coal power plants in this dataset, together about 12,360 MW of capacity.
Nearby power plants
- Guadarranque · Solar · 12.3 MW · Andalusia
- SAN ROQUE GRUPO 2 · Gas · 791.7 MW · Andalusia
- CAMPO DE GIBRALTAR GRUPO 20 · Gas · 780.7 MW · Andalusia
- BAHIA DE ALGECIRAS I · Gas · 731 MW · Andalusia
- CCC BAHIA DE ALGECIRAS · Gas · 780.5 MW · Andalusia
- San Roque Refinery power station · Gas · 196 MW · Andalusia
Location
Coordinates 36.1828, -5.42 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is LOS BARRIOS?
LOS BARRIOS is a 570 MW coal power plant in Andalusia, Spain, commissioned in 1985.
How much electricity does LOS BARRIOS generate?
LOS BARRIOS generates about 3,141 GWh of electricity per year.
Who operates LOS BARRIOS?
LOS BARRIOS is operated by VIESGO GENERACION S.L..