Papier- Und Kartonfabrik Varel (PVK) power station is a 40.9 MW gas power plant in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is operated by Papier- u. Kartonfabrik Varel GmbH & Co KG. Based on its capacity (estimated), it can supply roughly 46k homes (estimated). It ranks #385 of 1,442 Germany power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 1989, it is around 37 years old — long-established. Its modelled annual emissions are 60,956 t CO₂/yr (Climate TRACE), equivalent to about 14k cars driven for a year. In context, gas supplies about 16.5% 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 CT-67.
Data status
Known data
Modelled source 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 · L100000400234; fuel: GEM wiki unit-level operating Fuel(s), fetched 2026-07-05
In context: how this plant compares
At 40.9 MW, Papier- Und Kartonfabrik Varel (PVK) power station is below the median gas plant in Germany (52.9 MW). Technically it is described as Steam. 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.
~60,956 t CO₂/yr (modelled) — in everyday terms
This facility's annual emissions are roughly equivalent to:
Equivalencies via US EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies; modelled emissions from Climate TRACE.
Key facts
- Share of Germany gas capacity
- 0.1% of 37,245 MW across 241 plants in this dataset
- Age among peers
- 56 of 221 dated gas plants in Germany 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 Germany
Installed capacity (MW), WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0).
Owner
Operated by Papier- u. Kartonfabrik Varel GmbH & Co KG.
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 53.4°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 34% 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: 71/100 — this site sits in the top 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 corrosive environment (estimated ISO 9223 class C4 — High), 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 #136 largest gas power plant of 241 in Germany by capacity.
Germany has 241 gas power plants in this dataset, together about 37,245 MW of capacity.
Nearby power plants
- PKV Kraftwerk · Gas · 60 MW · Lower Saxony
- Wilhelmshaven (Oil) · Oil · 56 MW · Lower Saxony
- Wilhelmshaven power station · Coal · 757 MW · Lower Saxony
- Unterweser nuclear power plant · Nuclear · 1,410 MW · Lower Saxony
- Ammerland Solar Power Plant · Solar · 20.8 MW · Lower Saxony
- Huntorf · Gas · 321 MW · Lower Saxony
Location
Coordinates 53.4032, 8.1282 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is Papier- Und Kartonfabrik Varel (PVK) power station?
Papier- Und Kartonfabrik Varel (PVK) power station is a 40.9 MW gas power plant in Lower Saxony, Germany, commissioned in 1989.
Who operates Papier- Und Kartonfabrik Varel (PVK) power station?
Papier- Und Kartonfabrik Varel (PVK) power station is operated by Papier- u. Kartonfabrik Varel GmbH & Co KG.
How much CO₂ does Papier- Und Kartonfabrik Varel (PVK) power station emit?
Papier- Und Kartonfabrik Varel (PVK) power station has modelled emissions of about 60,956 tonnes of CO₂ per year (Climate TRACE).