Global Gas Power Plants

There are currenly 3,954 Gas power plants across the globe with a total capacity of 1470117.5 MW.

What is gas?

The term "gas" have different meanings depending on the context. When it comes to energy production, "gas" typically refers to natural gas, which is a fossil fuel that is primarily composed of methane (CH4) and other hydrocarbons. Natural gas is extracted from underground reservoirs using drilling techniques and is then transported through pipelines or shipped in liquefied form (LNG) to power plants or other facilities that use it as a fuel source.

When natural gas is burned in a combustion process, it releases heat, which can be used to generate electricity or to provide heat for industrial processes or buildings. The combustion process also produces carbon dioxide (CO2), water vapor, and other gases as byproducts, which can have environmental impacts if not properly managed.

Natural gas is considered a relatively clean-burning fossil fuel compared to coal or oil, as it emits fewer pollutants and greenhouse gases per unit of energy produced. However, it is still a non-renewable resource and its extraction, transportation, and combustion can have negative environmental and social impacts.

What is gas used for?

Gas, or more specifically natural gas, is primarily used as a fuel source for heating and electricity generation. It is a versatile energy source that can also be used for cooking, transportation, and industrial processes.

Residential and Commercial Heating

Natural gas is used to heat homes, buildings, and water, either through furnaces or boilers.

Cooking

Natural gas can be used as a fuel for stoves, ovens, and grills, offering a clean-burning and efficient alternative to other fuels such as propane or electricity.

Transportation

atural gas can be compressed and used as a transportation fuel for vehicles such as buses and trucks. It is also used as a feedstock for the production of hydrogen fuel cells.

Industrial Processes

Natural gas is used as a feedstock for the production of chemicals, fertilizers, and other products. It is also used as a fuel for industrial processes such as glass and steel production.

Backup Power

Natural gas-powered generators are often used as backup power sources for critical facilities such as hospitals or data centers.

How much electricity is generated from gas power each year?

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), natural gas-fired power plants generated approximately 7,807 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity worldwide in 2020, which accounted for around 23% of global electricity generation.

Data Information

This data is a derivitive set of data gathered by source mentioned below.

Data Sources

Global Energy Observatory/Google/KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm/Enipedia/World Resources Institute/database.earth