Marcinelle Energie (Carsid) is a 413 MW gas power station in Wallonia, Belgium. It is operated by Total Direct Énergie [100%]. Based on reported annual generation of 1,588 GWh, it can supply roughly 454k homes. It ranks #16 of 95 Belgium power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 2011, it is around 15 years old — relatively modern. Its annual emissions of 4,881 t CO₂/yr (EU ETS) are equivalent to about 1.1k cars driven for a year. In context, gas supplies about 21.5% of Belgium's electricity; the national grid averages 150 gCO₂/kWh (72.0% low-carbon) (2025).
Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id WRI1002258.
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 · L100000400031; fuel: WRI GPPD
In context: how this plant compares
At 413 MW, Marcinelle Energie (Carsid) is well above the median gas plant in Belgium (128 MW). Technically it is described as CCGT; combined-cycle with a heat-recovery steam generator (HRSG); Ansaldo Energia: AE94.3A. 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.
4,881 t CO₂/yr — in everyday terms
This facility's annual emissions are roughly equivalent to:
Equivalencies via US EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies; emissions per EU ETS (measured for US EPA/EU ETS, modelled for Climate TRACE).
Key facts
- Load factor
- 44%, from 1,588 GWh of reported generation; the median for 9 gas plants in Belgium that report generation is 58%
- Generation trend
- 1,150 GWh in 2015 and 1,588 GWh in 2017 (+38%)
- Highest and lowest year
- 2017: 1,588 GWh; 2016: 921 GWh
- Share of Belgium gas capacity
- 4.6% of 8,938 MW across 35 plants in this dataset
- Age among peers
- 17 of 21 dated gas plants in Belgium 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 Total Direct Énergie [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 temperate oceanic climate (Köppen Cfb) — Northern Hemisphere, latitude 50.4°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 18% 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: 60/100 — 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 moderately corrosive environment (estimated ISO 9223 class C3 — Medium), 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 #9 largest gas power plant of 35 in Belgium by capacity.
Belgium has 35 gas power plants in this dataset, together about 8,938 MW of capacity.
Nearby power plants
- Monceau-Sur-Sambre power station · Coal · 216 MW · Hainaut
- Amercoeur 1 R TGV · Gas · 451 MW · Wallonia
- Amercoeur power station · Coal · 252 MW · Hainaut
- Farciennes power station · Coal · 202 MW · Hainaut
- Manage Seneffe power station · Gas · 870 MW · Hainaut
- Jemeppe-sur-Sambre power station · Gas · 106 MW · Namur
Location
Coordinates 50.4138, 4.4067 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is Marcinelle Energie (Carsid)?
Marcinelle Energie (Carsid) is a 413 MW gas power plant in Wallonia, Belgium, commissioned in 2011.
How much electricity does Marcinelle Energie (Carsid) generate?
Marcinelle Energie (Carsid) generates about 1,588 GWh of electricity per year.
Who operates Marcinelle Energie (Carsid)?
Marcinelle Energie (Carsid) is operated by Total Direct Énergie [100%].
How much CO₂ does Marcinelle Energie (Carsid) emit?
Marcinelle Energie (Carsid) has measured emissions of about 4,881 tonnes of CO₂ per year (EU ETS).