World Power Plants

McMurdo Station Generator6.6 MW Oil

Oil

McMurdo Station Generator is a 6.6 MW oil-fired power plant in Antarctica, commissioned in 1981. Ranked #1 of 1 oil plant in Antarctica, McMurdo's 6.6 MW represents 100% of Antarctica's total oil capacity of 7 MW. The largest oil plant in Antarctica is McMurdo Station Generator at 7 MW, making it the only facility of its kind. Nearby plants within 50 km include Ross Island (1 MW, Wind). The facility is located on Ross Island, approximately 3,000 km from the nearest major city, Christchurch, New Zealand.

Capacity
6.6 MW
Commissioning Year
1981

45 years old

Owner
United States Antarctic Program
Location
-77.8470°, 166.6605°

Antarctica, Other

Context & rankings
  • 1. largest of 2 plants in Antarctica
  • #26,951 worldwide by installed capacity
  • #1,389 of 2,478 Oil plants worldwide
  • 86.84% of the installed capacity of Antarctica
Age & fleet comparison

45 years in operation

Oil fleet average: 28.7 years

Operator portfolio

United States Antarctic Program operates 1 plants totalling 7 MW

Regional density

1 plants within 100 km, 1 MW combined

Nearest plant: Ross Island (1.6 km)

Data provenance

Location

Coordinates:: -77.847000, 166.660500
Open in Google Maps
Carbon Footprint650 g CO₂/kWh
Annual CO₂
13.2 Kt
20 GWh/year × 650 g/kWh
Cumulative CO₂
591.9 Kt
Over 45 years of operation
Past Retirement
2011
15 years past expected retirement
Annual emissions equivalent to
2.9K
cars per year
1.8K
homes per year
597.9K
trees to offset

Estimates based on Oil emission factor (650 g CO₂/kWh) and capacity factor (35%). Actual emissions may vary based on operating conditions, efficiency, and fuel quality.

Technical Details

Primary Fuel Type
Oil
Energy Source
Non-Renewable
Country
Antarctica
Continent
Other
Data Source
Global Power Plant Database

AntarcticaEnergy Profile

2
Total Plants
0.0 GW
Total Capacity
OilWind
Top Fuels

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