RUSE is a 180 MW coal power station in Ruse, Bulgaria. It is operated by Toplofikacia Ruse AD [100%]. Based on its capacity (estimated), it can supply roughly 225k homes (estimated). It ranks #18 of 55 Bulgaria power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 1964, it is around 62 years old — an older, legacy facility. In context, coal supplies about 22.5% of Bulgaria's electricity; the national grid averages 276 gCO₂/kWh (71.9% low-carbon) (2025).
Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id WRI1008046.
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
Capacity and fuel are the upstream open-dataset record, not yet matched to a 2026 registry or GEM entry.
capacity: WRI GPPD; fuel: WRI GPPD
In context: how this plant compares
At 180 MW, RUSE is around the median coal plant in Bulgaria (180 MW). Technically it is described as subcritical. Coal plants burn pulverised coal to raise high-pressure steam for a turbine; they run as baseload but are the most carbon-intensive mainstream source and the first targeted for retirement or efficiency retrofits.
Capacity comparison computed from the WRI Global Power Plant Database; fuel-type context is general engineering background.
Key facts
- Share of Bulgaria coal capacity
- 3.3% of 5,419 MW across 14 plants in this dataset
- Age among peers
- 2 of 13 dated coal plants in Bulgaria are older
Calculated from the capacity and generation records in this dataset (WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0)).
Capacity vs largest coal plants in Bulgaria
Installed capacity (MW), WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0).
Owner
Operated by Toplofikacia Ruse AD [100%].
Local climate & thermal context
This coal plant burns coal to raise high-pressure steam that spins a turbine-generator. It sits in a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) — Northern Hemisphere, latitude 43.9°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 12% 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: 56/100 — this site sits in the mid 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 #7 largest coal power plant of 14 in Bulgaria by capacity.
Bulgaria has 14 coal power plants in this dataset, together about 5,419 MW of capacity.
Nearby power plants
- Giurgiu power station · Coal · 150 MW · Giurgiu
- Slobozia · Solar · 38 MW · Giurgiu
- Stanesti · Solar · 9 MW · Giurgiu
- Vieru · Solar · 9 MW · Giurgiu
- Colibași · Solar · 6.5 MW · Giurgiu
- Colibași II · Solar · 5 MW · Giurgiu
Location
Coordinates 43.8662, 26.0093 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is RUSE?
RUSE is a 180 MW coal power plant in Ruse, Bulgaria, commissioned in 1964.
Who operates RUSE?
RUSE is operated by Toplofikacia Ruse AD [100%].