World Power Plants

Ibirité Power Plant226 MW Natural Gas

GasVerified: Feb 2026

Ranked as the 167th largest power generation facility in Brazil, the Ibirité Power Plant holds a crucial position within the country's diverse energy landscape. With a capacity of 226 MW, it contributes approximately 0.09% to Brazil's total energy output. This facility operates on natural gas, placing it as the 43rd largest gas plant among 146 in the country. Brazil's energy profile is heavily dominated by hydroelectric power, which makes up a significant majority of the 250,382 MW total capacity derived from 2402 plants nationwide. As a result, Ibirité's gas-based generation plays a vital role in ensuring energy reliability, particularly during periods of drought when hydro resources may be diminished. The Ibirité Power Plant is strategically located near other energy facilities, including the similarly sized Aureliano Chaves (Antiga Ibirité), also generating 226 MW from gas. Other nearby plants include Igarapé, which operates on oil with a capacity of 131 MW, and Contagem, a smaller gas facility at 19.299 MW. This clustering of energy generation helps stabilize the local grid by diversifying the fuel sources and balancing load demands. Notably, the combined capacity of these plants supports the regional energy needs and enhances the reliability of supply in the Minas Gerais state. Ibirité Power Plant was commissioned in 2002 and has been operated by its respective owners since then. As Brazil continues to evolve its energy strategies, the significance of gas facilities like Ibirité cannot be overstated; they are essential in transitioning from a hydro-dominant system to a more balanced and resilient energy mix that can adapt to climate variability and ensure economic stability.

Capacity
226 MW
Commissioning Year
2010

16 years old

Owner
GDF Suez
Location
-19.9897°, -44.0964°

Brazil, South America

Context & rankings
  • 167. largest of 2,402 plants in Brazil
  • #7,002 worldwide by installed capacity
  • #2,549 of 5,146 Natural Gas plants worldwide
  • 0.09% of the installed capacity of Brazil
Age & fleet comparison

16 years in operation

Natural Gas fleet average: 26.9 years

Operator portfolio

GDF Suez operates 5 plants totalling 2,387 MW

Regional density

58 plants within 100 km, 657 MW combined

Nearest plant: Aureliano Chaves (Antiga Ibirité) (0.9 km)

Data provenance

Source: Wikidata

Location

Coordinates:: -19.989722, -44.096389
Open in Google Maps
Carbon Footprint490 g CO₂/kWh
Annual CO₂
436.5 Kt
891 GWh/year × 490 g/kWh
Cumulative CO₂
6.98 Mt
Over 16 years of operation
Est. Retirement
2040
14 years remaining
Annual emissions equivalent to
94.9K
cars per year
58.2K
homes per year
19.8M
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
Brazil
Continent
South America
Data Source
Global Power Plant Database

BrazilEnergy Profile

2,402
Total Plants
250.4 GW
Total Capacity
HydroGasBiomassWind
Top Fuels

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