World Power Plants

Somerton Power Station170 MW Natural Gas

GasVerified: Mar 2026

Somerton Power Station ranks as the 143rd largest power generation facility in Australia, featuring a capacity of 170 MW that represents about 0.11% of the national total capacity of 157,141 MW. As a gas-fired power station, it is positioned within a competitive landscape, being the 57th largest among 175 gas facilities in the country. The technology employed at Somerton allows for efficient and responsive generation, vital for meeting the fluctuating demands of the electricity grid, particularly as Australia transitions to a greater reliance on renewable energy sources. Located in a region with a variety of nearby power plants, Somerton is surrounded by other gas and waste energy generation facilities. Notably, Newport stands out with its substantial capacity of 500 MW, while Laverton North provides 312 MW, demonstrating the significant role of gas in the local energy mix. The proximity of other gas plants illustrates the importance of natural gas as a flexible energy source, particularly in supporting the integration of renewables and ensuring grid stability during peak periods. Australia's energy profile is characterized by a diverse range of generation technologies, with solar power leading the charge as the dominant fuel type. The presence of 678 total power plants across the country highlights the robust infrastructure in place to meet energy demands. Somerton’s contribution, though modest compared to larger facilities, is critical in offering reliable and dispatchable power, especially as the country aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while transitioning to cleaner energy solutions. Operated by AGL Energy, Somerton Power Station has been a part of the Australian energy landscape for years, contributing to economic growth and energy security. As the nation continues to evolve towards a more sustainable energy future, this gas facility will remain integral in balancing the energy mix, providing essential support to intermittent renewable sources while helping to maintain grid reliability.

Capacity
170 MW
Commissioning Year
2001

25 years old

Owner
AGL Energy
Location
-37.6316°, 144.9528°

Australia, Oceania

Context & rankings
  • 143. largest of 678 plants in Australia
  • #7,971 worldwide by installed capacity
  • #2,782 of 5,146 Natural Gas plants worldwide
  • 0.11% of the installed capacity of Australia
Age & fleet comparison

25 years in operation

Natural Gas fleet average: 26.9 years

Operator portfolio

AGL Energy operates 29 plants totalling 4,793 MW

Regional density

33 plants within 100 km, 2,201 MW combined

Nearest plant: Broadmeadows (6.4 km)

Data provenance

Location

Coordinates:: -37.631615, 144.952844
Open in Google Maps
Carbon Footprint490 g CO₂/kWh
Annual CO₂
328.4 Kt
670 GWh/year × 490 g/kWh
Cumulative CO₂
8.21 Mt
Over 25 years of operation
Closing Soon
2031
5 years remaining
Annual emissions equivalent to
71.4K
cars per year
43.8K
homes per year
14.9M
trees to offset

Estimates based on Gas emission factor (490 g CO₂/kWh) and capacity factor (45%). Actual emissions may vary based on operating conditions, efficiency, and fuel quality.

Technical Details

Primary Fuel Type
Gas
Energy Source
Non-Renewable
Country
Australia
Continent
Oceania
Data Source
Global Power Plant Database

AustraliaEnergy Profile

678
Total Plants
156.6 GW
Total Capacity
SolarCoalGasHydro
Top Fuels

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