Sahand is a 1,101 MW oil power station in East Azerbaijan, Iran. It is operated by Thermal Power Plants Holding Co [100%]. Based on its capacity (estimated), it can supply roughly 827k homes (estimated). It ranks #26 of 177 Iran power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 2004, it is around 22 years old — relatively modern. In context, oil supplies about 4.6% of Iran's electricity; the national grid averages 660 gCO₂/kWh (5.7% low-carbon) (2025).
Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id WRI1008178.
Data status
Known data
Calculated from dataset
Not available
Known, modelled and calculated values are kept separate. Missing fields are shown as unavailable.
Capacity provenance
The public capacity above is the current source-record value. A 2026 tracker candidate lists 1,101 MW for Sahand power station, but it is not used as the public primary value until scope is verified (unit vs operating vs installed/project total).
Data provenance
Source of the capacity and fuel values:
capacity: GEM · 2026 · L100000407002; fuel: WRI GPPD
In context: how this plant compares
At 1,101 MW, Sahand is well above the median oil plant in Iran (640 MW). Technically it is described as CCGT; combined-cycle with a heat-recovery steam generator (HRSG); Mapna Group: MGT-80. Oil-fired plants burn heavy fuel oil or diesel, usually as peaking or backup capacity on islands and grids without gas pipelines; high fuel cost keeps their utilisation low.
Capacity comparison computed from the WRI Global Power Plant Database; fuel-type context is general engineering background.
Key facts
- Share of Iran oil capacity
- 8.7% of 12,674 MW across 18 plants in this dataset
- Age among peers
- 9 of 11 dated oil plants in Iran are older
Calculated from the capacity and generation records in this dataset (WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0)).
Capacity vs largest oil plants in Iran
Installed capacity (MW), WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0).
Owner
Operated by Thermal Power Plants Holding Co [100%].
Local climate & thermal context
This oil plant burns oil or diesel to drive turbines or reciprocating engines. It sits in a cold semi-arid steppe climate (Köppen BSk) — Northern Hemisphere, latitude 37.4°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 5% 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: 52/100 — 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 benign, low-corrosion environment (estimated ISO 9223 class C1 — Very low), with dust abrasion 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 oil power plant of 18 in Iran by capacity.
Iran has 18 oil power plants in this dataset, together about 12,674 MW of capacity.
Nearby power plants
- Tabriz · Gas · 987 MW · East Azerbaijan
- Orumia · Gas · 951 MW · Azarbayjan-e Gharbi
- Sufian · Gas · 150 MW · East Azerbaijan
- Tabriz · Oil · 800 MW · East Azerbaijan
- Tabriz Petroshimi · Gas · 70 MW · East Azerbaijan
- Heris power station · Gas · 990 MW · East Azerbaijan
Location
Coordinates 37.424, 46.013 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is Sahand?
Sahand is a 1,101 MW oil power plant in East Azerbaijan, Iran, commissioned in 2004.
Who operates Sahand?
Sahand is operated by Thermal Power Plants Holding Co [100%].