Markersbach is a 1,046 MW hydro power station in Saxony, Germany. It is operated by Vattenfall Europe Generation AG. Based on reported annual generation of 613 GWh, it can supply roughly 175k homes. It ranks #41 of 1,442 Germany power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 1980, it is around 46 years old — long-established. As a non-combustion source, it has no direct CO₂ emissions from generation. In context, hydro supplies about 3.9% of Germany's electricity; the national grid averages 330 gCO₂/kWh (59.1% low-carbon) (2025).
Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id WRI1005937.
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 · L100000601734; fuel: WRI GPPD
In context: how this plant compares
At 1,046 MW, Markersbach is well above the median hydro plant in Germany (24 MW). Technically it is described as pumped 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
- Load factor
- 7%, from 613 GWh of reported generation; the median for 11 hydro plants in Germany that report generation is 15%
- Generation trend
- 890 GWh in 2015 and 613 GWh in 2017 (−31%)
- Highest and lowest year
- 2015: 890 GWh; 2016: 532 GWh
- Share of Germany hydro capacity
- 10.5% of 9,981 MW across 112 plants in this dataset
- Age among peers
- 89 of 110 dated hydro plants in Germany 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 Vattenfall Europe Generation AG. All plants by this company →
Local climate & thermal context
This hydro plant converts the energy of falling or flowing water through hydro turbines. It sits in a temperate oceanic climate (Köppen Cfb) — Northern Hemisphere, latitude 50.5°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 89% 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: 92/100 — 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 #3 largest hydro power plant of 112 in Germany by capacity.
Germany has 112 hydro power plants in this dataset, together about 9,981 MW of capacity.
Nearby power plants
- Verne Solar Power Plant · Solar · 4.3 MW · Ustecky
- Prunerov · Coal · 800 MW · Ustecky
- Altchemnitz power station · Gas · 63 MW · Saxony
- Vřesová · Gas · 400 MW · Karlovarsky
- Vresova TPS power station · Coal · 400 MW · Karlovy Vary
- Chemnitz · Solar · 4.4 MW · Saxony
Location
Coordinates 50.5194, 12.8798 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is Markersbach?
Markersbach is a 1,046 MW hydro power plant in Saxony, Germany, commissioned in 1980.
How much electricity does Markersbach generate?
Markersbach generates about 613 GWh of electricity per year.
Who operates Markersbach?
Markersbach is operated by Vattenfall Europe Generation AG.