Pont-sur-Sambre is a 450 MW gas power station in Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France. It is operated by Total Direct Énergie [100%]. Based on reported annual generation of 2,102 GWh, it can supply roughly 601k homes. It ranks #44 of 2,216 France power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 2009, it is around 17 years old — relatively modern. Its annual emissions of 628,976 t CO₂/yr (EU ETS verified (EUTL 2023)) are equivalent to about 147k cars driven for a year. In context, gas supplies about 3.0% of France's electricity; the national grid averages 41 gCO₂/kWh (94.9% low-carbon) (2025).
Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id WRI1002756.
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 · L100000400105; fuel: WRI GPPD
In context: how this plant compares
At 450 MW, Pont-sur-Sambre is well above the median gas plant in France (87.2 MW). Technically it is described as CCGT; combined-cycle with a heat-recovery steam generator (HRSG). 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.
628,976 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 verified (EUTL 2023) (measured for US EPA/EU ETS, modelled for Climate TRACE).
Key facts
- Load factor
- 53%, from 2,102 GWh of reported generation, in line with the 53% median for 8 gas plants in France
- Share of France gas capacity
- 5.8% of 7,707 MW across 34 plants in this dataset
- Age among peers
- 19 of 32 dated gas plants in France 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 50.2°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 27% 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: 66/100 — 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 #6 largest gas power plant of 34 in France by capacity.
France has 34 gas power plants in this dataset, together about 7,707 MW of capacity.
Nearby power plants
- Maubeuge · Solar · 10.62 MW · Nord-Pas-de-Calais
- Beaudignies · Wind · 8 MW · Nord-Pas-de-Calais
- Sepmeries · Wind · 2 MW · Nord-Pas-de-Calais
- Windvision Estinnes WIND · Wind · 81 MW · Wallonia
- SAINT-GHISLAIN STEG · Gas · 350 MW · Wallonia
- Valenciennes · Solar · 1.3 MW · Nord-Pas-de-Calais
Location
Coordinates 50.2308, 3.8653 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is Pont-sur-Sambre?
Pont-sur-Sambre is a 450 MW gas power plant in Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France, commissioned in 2009.
How much electricity does Pont-sur-Sambre generate?
Pont-sur-Sambre generates about 2,102 GWh of electricity per year.
Who operates Pont-sur-Sambre?
Pont-sur-Sambre is operated by Total Direct Énergie [100%].
How much CO₂ does Pont-sur-Sambre emit?
Pont-sur-Sambre has measured emissions of about 628,976 tonnes of CO₂ per year (EU ETS verified (EUTL 2023)).