World Power PlantsWorld Power Plants

NUEVA RENCA369.904 MW Oil

Oil

The Nueva Renca power plant, located in Chile, serves as a crucial component in the country's energy generation landscape, contributing a significant capacity of 369.904 MW primarily through oil-fired technology. Owned and operated by Soc. Electrica Santiago S.A., this facility plays a vital role in meeting the energy demands of the Santiago Metropolitan Region, which is a hub of economic activity and population density in Chile. The geographical coordinates of Nueva Renca, -33.4184 latitude and -70.6870 longitude, place it strategically to bolster the local grid and ensure a reliable electricity supply to urban and industrial sectors. As Chile transitions towards greater sustainability in its energy policy, the importance of such oil-based generation facilities becomes increasingly relevant, especially during peak demand periods or when renewable sources are insufficient to meet instantaneous needs. The oil technology utilized in Nueva Renca allows for flexible and rapid generation, which is essential for grid stability, particularly in a country that is heavily investing in renewable energy transitions. With the growing integration of solar and wind energy, the oil-fired generation from Nueva Renca provides a necessary complement, ensuring that the energy mix remains balanced while supporting the infrastructure needed for future advancements in energy efficiency and sustainability. As the Chilean government continues to push for a decarbonized energy future, plants like Nueva Renca will need to adapt and evolve, potentially exploring carbon capture technologies or transitioning towards cleaner fuel alternatives in the coming decades.

Capacity
369.904 MW
Commissioning Year
1999

27 years old

Owner
SOC. ELECTRICA SANTIAGO S.A.
Location
-33.4184°, -70.6870°

Chile, South America

Location

Coordinates:: -33.418400, -70.687000
Open in Google Maps
Carbon Footprint650 g CO₂/kWh
Annual CO₂
737.2 Kt
1134 GWh/year × 650 g/kWh
Cumulative CO₂
19.90 Mt
Over 27 years of operation
Closing Soon
2029
3 years remaining
Annual emissions equivalent to
160.3K
cars per year
98.3K
homes per year
33.5M
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
Chile
Continent
South America
Data Source
Global Power Plant Database

ChileEnergy Profile

383
Total Plants
31.5 GW
Total Capacity
HydroGasCoalSolar
Top Fuels

An Overview of Oil as a Power Generation Energy Source

Oil power generation involves the combustion of oil to produce electricity. The process typically begins with the extraction and refining of crude oil, which is then burned in a power plant to create steam. This steam drives turbines connected to generators, converting thermal energy into electrical energy. Oil power plants can vary in design, including steam turbine plants, gas turbine plants, and combined cycle plants, which utilize both gas and steam turbines to enhance efficiency. As of now, there are 2,416 oil power plants worldwide, distributed across 108 countries, with a total installed capacity of 286.9 gigawatts (GW).

See Incorrect or Missing Data?

Help us improve our database by reporting any corrections or updates. Your contribution helps keep our global power plant data accurate and up-to-date.