Santa Barbara is a 391 MW gas power station in Tuscany, Italy. It is operated by Enel SpA [100%]. Based on reported annual generation of 1,680 GWh, it can supply roughly 480k homes. It ranks #80 of 489 Italy power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 2006, it is around 20 years old — relatively modern. In context, gas supplies about 47.2% of Italy's electricity; the national grid averages 285 gCO₂/kWh (48.8% low-carbon) (2025).
Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id WRI1002940.
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: Wikidata P2109; fuel: WRI GPPD
In context: how this plant compares
At 391 MW, Santa Barbara is well above the median gas plant in Italy (324 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.
Key facts
- Load factor
- 49%, from 1,680 GWh of reported generation; the median for 51 gas plants in Italy that report generation is 24%
- Generation trend
- 148 GWh in 2015 and 1,680 GWh in 2017 (+1035%)
- Highest and lowest year
- 2017: 1,680 GWh; 2015: 148 GWh
- Share of Italy gas capacity
- 0.7% of 53,570 MW across 118 plants in this dataset
- Age among peers
- 58 of 103 dated gas plants in Italy 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 Enel SpA [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 43.6°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 16% below 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: 44/100 — 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 #54 largest gas power plant of 118 in Italy by capacity.
Italy has 118 gas power plants in this dataset, together about 53,570 MW of capacity.
Nearby power plants
- RANCIA 1 · Geothermal · 18 MW · Tuscany
- RANCIA 2 · Geothermal · 18 MW · Tuscany
- PIANACCE · Geothermal · 18 MW · Tuscany
- NUOVA RADICONDOLI · Geothermal · 59 MW · Tuscany
- CHIUSDINO 1 · Geothermal · 17 MW · Tuscany
- TRAVALE 4 · Geothermal · 39 MW · Tuscany
Location
Coordinates 43.565, 11.4777 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara is a 391 MW gas power plant in Tuscany, Italy, commissioned in 2006.
How much electricity does Santa Barbara generate?
Santa Barbara generates about 1,680 GWh of electricity per year.
Who operates Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara is operated by Enel SpA [100%].