Solvay Torrelavega power station is a 40 MW gas power plant in Cantabria, Spain. It is operated by Solvay NV [100%]. Based on its capacity (estimated), it can supply roughly 45k homes (estimated). It ranks #354 of 899 Spain power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 2001, it is around 25 years old — relatively modern. In context, gas supplies about 21.6% of Spain's electricity; the national grid averages 154 gCO₂/kWh (74.6% low-carbon) (2025).
Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id GOGPT_solvaytorrelavega_spain.
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
Source of the capacity and fuel values:
capacity: GEM · 2026 · L100000400715; fuel: GEM GOGPT
In context: how this plant compares
At 40 MW, Solvay Torrelavega power station is below the median gas plant in Spain (54 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
- Share of Spain gas capacity
- 0.1% of 32,018 MW across 95 plants in this dataset
- Age among peers
- 21 of 83 dated gas plants in Spain are older
Calculated from the capacity and generation records in this dataset (WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0)).
Capacity vs largest gas plants in Spain
Installed capacity (MW), WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0).
Owner
Operated by Solvay NV [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 43.4°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 23% 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: 41/100 — 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 corrosive environment (estimated ISO 9223 class C4 — High), 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 #60 largest gas power plant of 95 in Spain by capacity.
Spain has 95 gas power plants in this dataset, together about 32,018 MW of capacity.
Nearby power plants
- Torrelavega Mill power station · Coal · 37 MW · Cantabria
- Torrelavega power station · Gas · 83 MW · Cantabria
- P.E. CAMPISABALOS · Wind · 24.4 MW · Cantabria
- Gajano power station · Oil · 76 MW · Santander
- P.E. LA COTERA · Wind · 18 MW · Cantabria
- BARCENA GR 1 · Hydro · 61.1 MW · Cantabria
Location
Coordinates 43.37658, -4.04467 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is Solvay Torrelavega power station?
Solvay Torrelavega power station is a 40 MW gas power plant in Cantabria, Spain, commissioned in 2001.
Who operates Solvay Torrelavega power station?
Solvay Torrelavega power station is operated by Solvay NV [100%].