Smithfield Energy is a 160 MW gas power station in New South Wales, Australia. It is operated by Marubeni Australia Power Services. Based on reported annual generation of 72 GWh, it can supply roughly 21k homes. It ranks #120 of 536 Australia power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 1997, it is around 29 years old — long-established. Its modelled annual emissions are 30,081 t CO₂/yr (Climate TRACE), equivalent to about 7.0k cars driven for a year. In context, gas supplies about 16.4% of Australia's electricity; the national grid averages 525 gCO₂/kWh (38.6% low-carbon) (2025).
Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id AUS0000286.
Data status
Known data
Modelled source 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 · L100000405132; fuel: WRI GPPD
In context: how this plant compares
At 160 MW, Smithfield Energy is well above the median gas plant in Australia (106 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.
~30,081 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
- Load factor
- 5%, from 72 GWh of reported generation; the median for 84 gas plants in Australia that report generation is 24%
- Generation trend
- 1,001 GWh in 2013 and 72 GWh in 2018 (−93%)
- Highest and lowest year
- 2013: 1,001 GWh; 2018: 72 GWh
- Share of Australia gas capacity
- 0.5% of 29,942 MW across 163 plants in this dataset
- Age among peers
- 9 of 59 dated gas plants in Australia 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 Marubeni Australia Power Services.
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 humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) — Southern Hemisphere, latitude 33.9°S — which shapes how much energy it can produce and how its output varies through the year.
Monthly mean temperature
Heating degree-days here run 70% 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: 23/100 — this site sits in the bottom third of the power plants we cover by heating degree-days.
A gas turbine here also runs ~2% 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 an aggressive, high-corrosion environment (estimated ISO 9223 class C5 — Very high), with marine salt corrosion 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 #62 largest gas power plant of 163 in Australia by capacity.
Australia has 163 gas power plants in this dataset, together about 29,942 MW of capacity.
Nearby power plants
- Eastern Creek 2 · Waste · 9 MW · New South Wales
- EarthPower Biomass Plant · Waste · 3.9 MW · New South Wales
- Eastern Creek · Waste · 5.4 MW · New South Wales
- Bankstown Sports Club · Oil · 2 MW · New South Wales
- Revesby Workers Club · Oil · 2.5 MW · New South Wales
- Grange Avenue · Waste · 2 MW · New South Wales
Location
Coordinates -33.85, 150.9495 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is Smithfield Energy?
Smithfield Energy is a 160 MW gas power plant in New South Wales, Australia, commissioned in 1997.
How much electricity does Smithfield Energy generate?
Smithfield Energy generates about 72 GWh of electricity per year.
Who operates Smithfield Energy?
Smithfield Energy is operated by Marubeni Australia Power Services.
How much CO₂ does Smithfield Energy emit?
Smithfield Energy has modelled emissions of about 30,081 tonnes of CO₂ per year (Climate TRACE).