West Karun power station is a 520 MW gas power station in Khuzestan, Iran. It is operated by West Karun Mapna Power Generation Co [100%]. Based on its capacity (estimated), it can supply roughly 586k homes (estimated). It ranks #87 of 177 Iran power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 2019, it is around 7 years old — recently built. In context, gas supplies about 89.5% 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 GOGPT_westkarun_iran.
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 · L100000406981; fuel: GEM GOGPT
In context: how this plant compares
At 520 MW, West Karun power station is around the median gas plant in Iran (546 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 Iran gas capacity
- 0.6% of 83,060 MW across 121 plants in this dataset
- Age among peers
- 71 of 95 dated gas 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 gas plants in Iran
Installed capacity (MW), WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0).
Owner
Operated by West Karun Mapna Power Generation Co [100%].
Climate zone & how it works
This gas plant burns natural gas in a turbine — often in a combined-cycle setup — to generate electricity. It sits in a hot desert climate (Köppen BWh) — Northern Hemisphere, latitude 31.2°N — which shapes how much energy it can produce and how its output varies through the year.
Climate zone & typical temperatures: Köppen-Geiger world climate classification (Kottek et al. 2006, 0.5° grid).
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 #67 largest gas power plant of 121 in Iran by capacity.
Iran has 121 gas power plants in this dataset, together about 83,060 MW of capacity.
Nearby power plants
- Al-Hartha · Oil · 800 MW · Basra Governorate
- Qurna Diesel power station · Oil · 75 MW · Basrah
- Darkhovain nuclear power plant · Nuclear · 300 MW · Khuzestan
- Al-Najybia · Gas · 500 MW · Basra Governorate
- West Qurna II power station · Gas · 351.9 MW · Basra
- Zargan · Gas · 418 MW · Khuzestan
Location
Coordinates 31.165563, 48.015203 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is West Karun power station?
West Karun power station is a 520 MW gas power plant in Khuzestan, Iran, commissioned in 2019.
Who operates West Karun power station?
West Karun power station is operated by West Karun Mapna Power Generation Co [100%].