Merilectrica power station — Colombia
Gas power plant in Santander, Colombia. Approximate location 7.0543, -73.82.
GasSantanderColombiaOCGT
Merilectrica power station is a 167 MW gas power station in Santander, Colombia. It is operated by Celsia Colombia SA ESP [100%]. Based on its capacity (estimated), it can supply roughly 188k homes (estimated). It ranks #32 of 44 Colombia power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 1998, it is around 28 years old — long-established. In context, gas supplies about 13.8% of Colombia's electricity; the national grid averages 187 gCO₂/kWh (77.0% low-carbon) (2025).
Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id GOGPT_merilectrica_colomb.
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 · L100000406571; fuel: GEM GOGPT
In context: how this plant compares
At 167 MW, Merilectrica power station is below the median gas plant in Colombia (241 MW). Technically it is described as OCGT. 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 Colombia gas capacity
- 1.9% of 8,721 MW across 20 plants in this dataset
- Age among peers
- 3 of 18 dated gas plants in Colombia 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 Colombia
Installed capacity (MW), WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0).
Owner
Operated by Celsia Colombia SA ESP [100%].
Climate zone & how it works
This gas plant burns natural gas in a turbine — often in a combined-cycle setup — to generate electricity. It sits in a tropical monsoon climate (Köppen Am) — Northern Hemisphere, latitude 7.1°N — which shapes how much energy it can produce and how its output varies through the year.
Climate zone & typical temperatures: Köppen-Geiger world climate classification (Kottek et al. 2006, 0.5° grid).
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 #13 largest gas power plant of 20 in Colombia by capacity.
Colombia has 20 gas power plants in this dataset, together about 8,721 MW of capacity.
Nearby power plants
- Sogamoso · Hydro · 820 MW · Santander
- Termocentro · Gas · 300 MW · Antioquia
- Termoberrío power station · Gas · 700 MW · Santander
- La Sierra · Gas · 460 MW · Boyaca
- Calderas · Hydro · 26 MW · Antioquia
- Porce III · Hydro · 660 MW · Antioquia
Location
Coordinates 7.0543, -73.82 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is Merilectrica power station?
Merilectrica power station is a 167 MW gas power plant in Santander, Colombia, commissioned in 1998.
Who operates Merilectrica power station?
Merilectrica power station is operated by Celsia Colombia SA ESP [100%].