Estimating carbon dioxide emissions from gas plants

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The following factors are used to estimate the CO2 emissions from gas-fired power plants:

  • Plant capacity
  • Plant capacity factor
  • Lifecycle emissions factor for a gas-fired power plant
  • Lifetime of a gas plant

Formula

The CO2 emissions from a gas plant can be calculated with the following formula:

Annual CO2 equivalent emissions (in million tonnes/year) = capacity (MW) * capacity factor (%) * lifecycle emissions factor (t CO2/kWh) * 1e6 g/1 t * 1 GW/1000 MW * 8760 hours/year * 1e6 kWh/1 GWh

The total lifetime CO2 emissions from a gas plant can be calculated with the following formula:

Lifetime CO2 equivalent emissions (in million tonnes) = Annual CO2 equivalent emissions (in million tonnes/year) * lifetime of gas plant

Capacity Factor

"Capacity factor" or "load factor," is a measure of the amount of power that a plant produces compared with the amount it would produce if operated at its rated capacity nonstop. A capacity factor of 100% means that a plant is run at its maximum capacity for every hour of the year. Actual capacity factors are lower than 100% because of routine maintenance, fuel availability problems, and variations in demand.

Capacity factor can be calculated as follows:

Capacity Factor (%) = [Generation (GWh) * 1 year/8760 h] / Capacity (GW)

For the Global Gas Plant Tracker, a country/area-level (or in some cases, regional) capacity factor is used in calculating the CO2 emissions.

The latest gas power generation published by Ember is used for the capacity factor calculation. In some cases, generation data reported is not available for the latest year. For example, for countries where 2021 data is unavailable, 2020 gas power generation is used. Operating capacity at the country/area-level is taken from GEM's latest available Global Gas Plant Tracker.

Regional Capacity Factor

Regional capacity factors are shown in Table 1 below with the following inputs:


Table 1: Regional Capacity Factors Calculated for Global Oil and Gas Plant Tracker

Region Sub-region GEM Operating Capacity (MW) Ember Power Generation (TWh) Weighted Average Capacity Factor (%)
Africa Northern Africa                  98,282               324 37.7
Africa Sub-Saharan Africa                  26,522                  90 38.9
Americas Latin America and the Caribbean               137,346               555 46.1
Americas Northern America               582,707          1,813 35.5
Asia Central Asia                  25,777                  93 41.2
Asia Eastern Asia               299,148          1,093 41.7
Asia South-eastern Asia               106,842               373 39.9
Asia Southern Asia               140,668               544 44.2
Asia Western Asia               303,064          1,047 39.4
Europe Eastern Europe               138,209               630 52.1
Europe Northern Europe                  51,896               146 32.0
Europe Southern Europe                  95,230               251 30.1
Europe Western Europe                  70,368               222 36.0
Oceania Australia and New Zealand                  17,076                  56 37.7
Oceania Melanesia                         273                     6
Global Total          2,093,406          7,244 39.5

As a comparison, the International Energy Agency (IEA) in their 2021 World Energy Outlook (Table A.3a) reports:

Global gas power production 6,257 TWh
Global gas power capacity 1,822 GW
Global capacity factor 39.20%

Country/Area Level Capacity Factor

Country/area level capacity factors are shown in Table 2 below with the following inputs:

  • GEM's February 2024 Global Oil and Gas Plant Tracker data
  • Ember's yearly electricity data release (February 2024 version)
  • In cases where country/area level capacity factors were inaccurate (ie: greater than 100% or large variation between regional and country/area level capacity factor) the regional capacity factor was assumed for the CO2 emissions calculation.


Table 2: Country/area-level Capacity Factors Calculated for Global Oil and Gas Plant Tracker

Country/Area Region Sub-region GEM Operating Capacity (MW) Ember 2020 Generation (TWh) Ember 2021 Generation (TWh) Ember 2022 Generation (TWh) Ember 2023 Generation (TWh) Ember Generation data used (TWh) Ember Generation data year Country/Area Capacity factor (%) Regional Capacity factor (%) Country/Area or regional level? Capacity factor to use
Afghanistan Asia Southern Asia 105 0.12 0.13 0 0 0.13 2021 14.1 44.2 regional 44.2
Albania Europe Southern Europe 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 30.1 regional 30.1
Algeria Africa Northern Africa 23254.5 78.43 84.73 0 0 84.73 2021 41.6 37.7 country/area 41.6
Angola Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 929 4.49 4.77 0 0 4.77 2021 58.6 38.9 regional 38.9
Antigua and Barbuda Americas Latin America and the Caribbean 46 0.31 0.33 0 0 0.33 2021 81.9 46.1 regional 46.1
Argentina Americas Latin America and the Caribbean 22478.7 96.37 103.56 97.89 0 97.89 2022 49.7 46.1 country/area 49.7
Armenia Asia Western Asia 1346 2.98 3.18 0 0 3.18 2021 27.0 39.4 regional 39.4
Aruba Americas Latin America and the Caribbean 194 0.73 0.78 0 0 0.78 2021 45.9 46.1 country/area 45.9
Australia Oceania Australia and New Zealand 15152.76 58.01 52.78 51.76 0 51.76 2022 39.0 37.7 country/area 39.0
Austria Europe Western Europe 5180 13.06 13.79 14.04 10.26 10.26 2023 22.6 36.0 regional 36.0
Azerbaijan Asia Western Asia 5860.9 23.17 24.88 0 0 24.88 2021 48.5 39.4 country/area 48.5
Bahamas Americas Latin America and the Caribbean 184 1.99 2.12 0 0 2.12 2021 131.5 46.1 regional 46.1
Bahrain Asia Western Asia 8600.9 29.84 31.75 0 0 31.75 2021 42.1 39.4 country/area 42.1
Bangladesh Asia Southern Asia 18999.45 79.79 84.63 86.38 0 86.38 2022 51.9 44.2 country/area 51.9
Barbados Americas Latin America and the Caribbean 60 0.93 0.99 0 0 0.99 2021 188.4 46.1 regional 46.1
Belarus Europe Eastern Europe 8352 34.54 36.71 0 0 36.71 2021 50.2 52.1 country/area 50.2
Belgium Europe Western Europe 5702 30.32 26.29 25.96 21.56 21.56 2023 43.2 36.0 country/area 43.2
Benin Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 127.4 0.22 0.23 0 0 0.23 2021 20.6 38.9 regional 38.9
Bermuda Americas Northern America 114 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 35.5 regional 35.5
Bolivia Americas Latin America and the Caribbean 1945.1 6.45 6.72 7.44 0 7.44 2022 43.7 46.1 country/area 43.7
Bosnia and Herzegovina Europe Southern Europe 0 0.04 0.03 0.03 0.03 0 0.0 30.1 regional 30.1
Botswana Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 70 0.37 0.39 0 0 0.39 2021 63.6 38.9 regional 38.9
Brazil Americas Latin America and the Caribbean 22441.1 74.04 109.59 54.51 0 54.51 2022 27.7 46.1 regional 46.1
Brunei Asia South-eastern Asia 212 4.4 4.68 0 0 4.68 2021 252.0 39.9 regional 39.9
Bulgaria Europe Eastern Europe 780 2.53 3.33 2.4 1.91 1.91 2023 28.0 52.1 regional 52.1
Burkina Faso Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 166 1.43 1.52 0 0 1.52 2021 104.5 38.9 regional 38.9
Cambodia Asia South-eastern Asia 800.48 0.41 0.41 0 0 0.41 2021 5.8 39.9 regional 39.9
Cameroon Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 364 2.84 3.03 0 0 3.03 2021 95.0 38.9 regional 38.9
Canada Americas Northern America 25751.39 79.41 86.38 87.02 0 87.02 2022 38.6 35.5 country/area 38.6
Cayman Islands Americas Latin America and the Caribbean 39.7 0.67 0.71 0 0 0.71 2021 204.2 46.1 regional 46.1
Central African Republic Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 50 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 38.9 regional 38.9
Chad Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 60 0.28 0.3 0 0 0.3 2021 57.1 38.9 regional 38.9
Chile Americas Latin America and the Caribbean 7117.2 16.68 19.03 19.99 0 19.99 2022 32.1 46.1 regional 46.1
China Asia Eastern Asia 130950 305.97 349.2 362.95 0 362.95 2022 31.6 41.7 country/area 31.6
Colombia Americas Latin America and the Caribbean 4307 17.13 15.44 15.83 0 15.83 2022 42.0 46.1 country/area 42.0
Costa Rica Americas Latin America and the Caribbean 202.7 0.19 0.16 0.25 0 0.25 2022 14.1 46.1 regional 46.1
Croatia Europe Southern Europe 790.8 3.46 3.12 3.59 3.9 3.9 2023 56.3 30.1 regional 30.1
Cuba Americas Latin America and the Caribbean 4191.8 17.68 18.77 0 0 18.77 2021 51.1 46.1 country/area 51.1
Cyprus Asia Western Asia 1853 4.25 4.34 4.38 4.32 4.32 2023 26.6 39.4 regional 39.4
Czech Republic Europe Eastern Europe 1659 8.72 8.11 5.06 3.82 3.82 2023 26.3 52.1 regional 52.1
Côte d'Ivoire Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 1279 7.21 7.67 0 0 7.67 2021 68.5 38.9 regional 38.9
DR Congo Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 0 0.03 0.03 0 0 0 0.0 38.9 regional 38.9
Denmark Europe Northern Europe 1807.2 2.07 2.45 2.05 1.5 1.5 2023 9.5 32.0 regional 32.0
Djibouti Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 108 0.05 0.06 0 0 0.06 2021 6.3 38.9 regional 38.9
Dominican Republic Americas Latin America and the Caribbean 2993.1 10.43 11.09 0 0 11.09 2021 42.3 46.1 country/area 42.3
Ecuador Americas Latin America and the Caribbean 1278.5 6.37 6.24 7.98 0 7.98 2022 71.3 46.1 regional 46.1
Egypt Africa Northern Africa 52522.2 174.02 184.91 176.88 0 176.88 2022 38.4 37.7 country/area 38.4
El Salvador Americas Latin America and the Caribbean 929.2 1.29 1.34 2.04 0 2.04 2022 25.1 46.1 regional 46.1
Equatorial Guinea Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 154 0.92 0.98 0 0 0.98 2021 72.6 38.9 regional 38.9
Eritrea Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 88 0.41 0.44 0 0 0.44 2021 57.1 38.9 regional 38.9
Estonia Europe Northern Europe 423 3.11 4.32 6.08 3.61 3.61 2023 97.4 32.0 regional 32.0
Eswatini Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 0 0.04 0.04 0 0 0 0.0 38.9 regional 38.9
Ethiopia Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 0 0.01 0.01 0 0 0 0.0 38.9 regional 38.9
Finland Europe Northern Europe 3352 7.58 7.66 4.73 2.88 2.88 2023 9.8 32.0 regional 32.0
France Europe Western Europe 11061.2 45.28 43.35 56.19 41.14 41.14 2023 42.5 36.0 country/area 42.5
French Guiana Americas Latin America and the Caribbean 150.7 0.47 0.31 0 0 0.31 2021 23.5 46.1 regional 46.1
Gabon Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 496 1.19 1.27 0 0 1.27 2021 29.2 38.9 country/area 29.2
Georgia Asia Western Asia 1167 2.82 2.38 3.39 0 3.39 2022 33.2 39.4 country/area 33.2
Germany Europe Western Europe 33230.25 116.28 112.54 101.35 96.13 96.13 2023 33.0 36.0 country/area 33.0
Ghana Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 3429 12.82 13.63 0 0 13.63 2021 45.4 38.9 country/area 45.4
Greece Europe Southern Europe 7632.6 23.35 26.79 23.41 19.92 19.92 2023 29.8 30.1 country/area 29.8
Guadeloupe Americas Latin America and the Caribbean 292.2 1.01 0.87 0 0 0.87 2021 34.0 46.1 country/area 34.0
Guatemala Americas Latin America and the Caribbean 355.8 1.15 0.7 0 0 0.7 2021 22.5 46.1 regional 46.1
Guinea Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 54 0.71 0.76 0 0 0.76 2021 160.7 38.9 regional 38.9
Guyana Americas Latin America and the Caribbean 0 1.01 1.09 0 0 0 0.0 46.1 regional 46.1
Honduras Americas Latin America and the Caribbean 938.9 4.94 5.2 0 0 5.2 2021 63.2 46.1 regional 46.1
Hong Kong Asia Eastern Asia 5115.5 21.56 22.19 0 0 22.19 2021 49.5 41.7 country/area 49.5
Hungary Europe Eastern Europe 2961.5 9.63 10.19 9.3 7.9 7.9 2023 30.5 52.1 regional 52.1
India Asia Southern Asia 28547.57 77.88 63.22 50.82 0 50.82 2022 20.3 44.2 regional 44.2
Indonesia Asia South-eastern Asia 21588.94 58.06 63.2 62.82 0 62.82 2022 33.2 39.9 country/area 33.2
Iran Asia Southern Asia 73411 305.19 324.39 331.36 0 331.36 2022 51.5 44.2 country/area 51.5
Iraq Asia Western Asia 43501.4 86.45 91.98 0 0 91.98 2021 24.1 39.4 regional 39.4
Ireland Europe Northern Europe 4996 17.84 17.26 18.17 16.56 16.56 2023 37.8 32.0 country/area 37.8
Isle of Man Europe Northern Europe 87 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 32.0 regional 32.0
Israel Asia Western Asia 12720 48.84 51.21 0 0 51.21 2021 46.0 39.4 country/area 46.0
Italy Europe Southern Europe 49688.72 146.53 155.14 157.1 135.08 135.08 2023 31.0 30.1 country/area 31.0
Jamaica Americas Latin America and the Caribbean 713.9 3.45 3.67 0 0 3.67 2021 58.7 46.1 country/area 58.7
Japan Asia Eastern Asia 95391.32 428.01 403.9 406.37 0 406.37 2022 48.6 41.7 country/area 48.6
Jordan Asia Western Asia 4519.8 15.77 16.77 0 0 16.77 2021 42.4 39.4 country/area 42.4
Kazakhstan Asia Central Asia 4072 23.6 27.33 23.71 0 23.71 2022 66.5 41.2 regional 41.2
Kenya Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 565.1 0.92 0.97 1.27 0 1.27 2022 25.7 38.9 regional 38.9
Kuwait Asia Western Asia 19509.5 74.74 80.57 82.8 0 82.8 2022 48.4 39.4 country/area 48.4
Kyrgyzstan Asia Central Asia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 41.2 regional 41.2
Latvia Europe Northern Europe 1087 2.08 2.13 1.21 1.46 1.46 2023 15.3 32.0 regional 32.0
Lebanon Asia Western Asia 2153 18.27 19.43 0 0 19.43 2021 103.0 39.4 regional 39.4
Libya Africa Northern Africa 12760 30.09 32.02 0 0 32.02 2021 28.6 37.7 country/area 28.6
Lithuania Europe Northern Europe 1148 2.13 1.68 1.02 1.31 1.31 2023 13.0 32.0 regional 32.0
Macao Asia Eastern Asia 407.2 0.56 0.59 0 0 0.59 2021 16.5 41.7 regional 41.7
Madagascar Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 171 1.04 1.11 0 0 1.11 2021 74.1 38.9 regional 38.9
Malaysia Asia South-eastern Asia 16803 54.55 62.15 70.11 0 70.11 2022 47.6 39.9 country/area 47.6
Maldives Asia Southern Asia 50 0.57 0.61 0 0 0.61 2021 139.3 44.2 regional 44.2
Mali Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 254 2.01 2.14 0 0 2.14 2021 96.2 38.9 regional 38.9
Malta Europe Southern Europe 547.8 1.9 1.95 2 2.03 2.03 2023 42.3 30.1 regional 30.1
Martinique Americas Latin America and the Caribbean 323.6 1.16 1.12 0 0 1.12 2021 39.5 46.1 country/area 39.5
Mauritania Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 420 1.29 1.38 0 0 1.38 2021 37.5 38.9 country/area 37.5
Mauritius Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 0 1.52 1.6 0 0 0 0.0 38.9 regional 38.9
Mexico Americas Latin America and the Caribbean 50313.5 226.24 222.4 226.04 0 226.04 2022 51.3 46.1 country/area 51.3
Moldova Europe Eastern Europe 968 2.47 2.65 1.62 0 1.62 2022 19.1 52.1 regional 52.1
Montenegro Europe Southern Europe 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 30.1 regional 30.1
Morocco Africa Northern Africa 1901 4.15 4.84 4.05 0 4.05 2022 24.3 37.7 regional 37.7
Mozambique Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 657.6 3.49 3.7 0 0 3.7 2021 64.2 38.9 regional 38.9
Myanmar Asia South-eastern Asia 2212.89 10.36 10.88 10.74 0 10.74 2022 55.4 39.9 regional 39.9
Namibia Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 0 0.02 0.02 0 0 0 0.0 38.9 regional 38.9
Netherlands Europe Western Europe 15139.5 77.52 62.02 52.91 51.04 51.04 2023 38.5 36.0 country/area 38.5
New Caledonia Oceania Melanesia 215 2.73 2.9 0 0 2.9 2021 154.0 270.5 regional 270.5
New Zealand Oceania Australia and New Zealand 1923 6.41 5.04 4.68 0 4.68 2022 27.8 37.7 country/area 27.8
Nicaragua Americas Latin America and the Caribbean 448.2 1.15 1.3 0 0 1.3 2021 33.1 46.1 country/area 33.1
Niger Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 189 0.38 0.4 0 0 0.4 2021 24.2 38.9 regional 38.9
Nigeria Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 10388 27.4 27.46 27.34 0 27.34 2022 30.0 38.9 country/area 30.0
North Macedonia Europe Southern Europe 418 1.23 1.69 1.31 2.07 2.07 2023 56.5 30.1 regional 30.1
Norway Europe Northern Europe 523 2.25 1.03 1.93 2.2 2.2 2023 48.0 32.0 regional 32.0
Oman Asia Western Asia 13728.7 36.88 41.44 41.97 0 41.97 2022 34.9 39.4 country/area 34.9
Pakistan Asia Southern Asia 18599.8 67.85 71.99 71.64 0 71.64 2022 44.0 44.2 country/area 44.0
Palestine Asia Western Asia 140 0.62 0.66 0 0 0.66 2021 53.8 39.4 regional 39.4
Panama Americas Latin America and the Caribbean 770.4 1.93 2.52 0 0 2.52 2021 37.3 46.1 country/area 37.3
Papua New Guinea Oceania Melanesia 58 3.36 3.57 0 0 3.57 2021 702.6 270.5 regional 270.5
Peru Americas Latin America and the Caribbean 7131.5 18.67 21.86 25.95 0 25.95 2022 41.5 46.1 country/area 41.5
Philippines Asia South-eastern Asia 5946.76 21.97 23.26 22.77 0 22.77 2022 43.7 39.9 country/area 43.7
Poland Europe Eastern Europe 3492.5 21.52 20.66 16.18 19.92 19.92 2023 65.1 52.1 country/area 65.1
Portugal Europe Southern Europe 4676.5 18.92 16.88 18.72 12.2 12.2 2023 29.8 30.1 country/area 29.8
Qatar Asia Western Asia 12577.5 49.39 51.77 54.15 0 54.15 2022 49.1 39.4 country/area 49.1
Republic of the Congo Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 534 2.87 3.06 0 0 3.06 2021 65.4 38.9 regional 38.9
Romania Europe Eastern Europe 3073.75 9.77 10.25 9.66 8.64 8.64 2023 32.1 52.1 regional 52.1
Russia Europe Eastern Europe 112033 478.3 533.25 545.83 0 545.83 2022 55.6 52.1 country/area 55.6
Rwanda Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 56 0.32 0.34 0 0 0.34 2021 69.3 38.9 regional 38.9
Réunion Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 219.6 0.95 1.29 0 0 1.29 2021 67.1 38.9 regional 38.9
Saudi Arabia Asia Western Asia 97147.15 380.68 392.1 400.75 0 400.75 2022 47.1 39.4 country/area 47.1
Senegal Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 713.5 4.12 3.95 0 0 3.95 2021 63.2 38.9 regional 38.9
Serbia Europe Southern Europe 549 0.56 1.14 1.79 1.58 1.58 2023 32.9 30.1 country/area 32.9
Seychelles Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 58 0.53 0.57 0 0 0.57 2021 112.2 38.9 regional 38.9
Sierra Leone Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 162 0.02 0.02 0 0 0.02 2021 1.4 38.9 regional 38.9
Singapore Asia South-eastern Asia 13884 52.78 55.39 56.27 0 56.27 2022 46.3 39.9 country/area 46.3
Slovakia Europe Eastern Europe 1000.87 4.36 5.5 3.18 3.15 3.15 2023 35.9 52.1 regional 52.1
Slovenia Europe Southern Europe 531 0.6 0.59 0.55 0.49 0.49 2023 10.5 30.1 regional 30.1
Somalia Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 65 0.35 0.37 0 0 0.37 2021 65.0 38.9 regional 38.9
South Africa Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 3705.3 1.43 1.74 2.12 0 2.12 2022 6.5 38.9 regional 38.9
South Korea Asia Eastern Asia 47106.44 169.6 187.2 182.13 0 182.13 2022 44.1 41.7 country/area 44.1
South Sudan Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 85 0.53 0.56 0 0 0.56 2021 75.2 38.9 regional 38.9
Spain Europe Southern Europe 30395.31 81.86 83.58 97.79 73.97 73.97 2023 27.8 30.1 country/area 27.8
Sri Lanka Asia Southern Asia 955.4 4.11 3.34 0 0 3.34 2021 39.9 44.2 country/area 39.9
Sudan Africa Northern Africa 2000.9 6.06 6.46 0 0 6.46 2021 36.9 37.7 country/area 36.9
Suriname Americas Latin America and the Caribbean 126 0.94 1 0 0 1 2021 90.6 46.1 regional 46.1
Sweden Europe Northern Europe 2575 2.44 3.05 2.9 2.9 2.9 2023 12.9 32.0 regional 32.0
Switzerland Europe Western Europe 55 1.87 1.72 1.72 1.72 1.72 2023 357.0 36.0 regional 36.0
Syria Asia Western Asia 6918.5 14.95 15.91 0 0 15.91 2021 26.3 39.4 regional 39.4
Taiwan Asia Eastern Asia 20178 106.54 115.97 118.66 0 118.66 2022 67.1 41.7 regional 41.7
Tajikistan Asia Central Asia 206 0.55 0.59 0 0 0.59 2021 32.7 41.2 country/area 32.7
Tanzania Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 445 4.56 4.56 0 0 4.56 2021 117.0 38.9 regional 38.9
Thailand Asia South-eastern Asia 36992.7 114.58 113.83 116.37 0 116.37 2022 35.9 39.9 country/area 35.9
Timor-Leste Asia South-eastern Asia 255 0.5 0.53 0 0 0.53 2021 23.7 39.9 regional 39.9
Togo Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 165 0.43 0.46 0 0 0.46 2021 31.8 38.9 country/area 31.8
Trinidad and Tobago Americas Latin America and the Caribbean 2056.6 9.23 9.27 0 0 9.27 2021 51.5 46.1 country/area 51.5
Tunisia Africa Northern Africa 5771 20.33 20.66 20.12 0 20.12 2022 39.8 37.7 country/area 39.8
Turkmenistan Asia Central Asia 7087 23.73 23.73 0 0 23.73 2021 38.2 41.2 country/area 38.2
Türkiye Asia Western Asia 26955.04 73.06 113.25 78.14 72.98 72.98 2023 30.9 39.4 country/area 30.9
Uganda Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 189 0.13 0.13 0 0 0.13 2021 7.9 38.9 regional 38.9
Ukraine Europe Eastern Europe 3887.9 15.87 9.76 4.88 0.78 0.78 2023 2.3 52.1 regional 52.1
United Arab Emirates Asia Western Asia 43240.12 130.49 132.22 127.67 0 127.67 2022 33.7 39.4 country/area 33.7
United Kingdom Europe Northern Europe 35897.7 121.75 134.06 137.85 113.09 113.09 2023 36.0 32.0 country/area 36.0
United States Americas Northern America 556841.7 1658.51 1614.39 1725.71 0 1725.71 2022 35.4 35.5 country/area 35.4
Uruguay Americas Latin America and the Caribbean 1132 0.82 2.41 2.23 0 2.23 2022 22.5 46.1 regional 46.1
Uzbekistan Asia Central Asia 14412 42.2 45.07 0 0 45.07 2021 35.7 41.2 country/area 35.7
Venezuela Americas Latin America and the Caribbean 4184.6 31.63 33.64 0 0 33.64 2021 91.8 46.1 regional 46.1
Vietnam Asia South-eastern Asia 8146 35.2 26.45 28.47 0 28.47 2022 39.9 39.9 country/area 39.9
Western Sahara Africa Northern Africa 72 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 37.7 regional 37.7
Yemen Asia Western Asia 1125 2.75 2.92 0 0 2.92 2021 29.6 39.4 country/area 29.6
Zambia Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 105 0.74 0.51 0 0 0.51 2021 55.4 38.9 regional 38.9
Zimbabwe Africa Sub-Saharan Africa 0 0.04 0.04 0 0 0 0.0 38.9 regional 38.9

Lifecycle emissions factor

The Global Oil and Gas Plant Tracker assumes the median lifecycle emissions as reported in the IPCC 5th Assessment Report Annex 3 (2014)[1] of 490 g CO2eq/kWh for a Combined Cycle (CC) gas-fired power plant.

This lifecycle emissions estimate is in line with other reported values, such as:

  • A natural gas combined cycle plant can emit 403–513 g CO2 eq/kWh from a life cycle perspective, 2021 UNECE Report, Carbon Neutrality in the UNECE Region: Integrated Life-cycle Assessment of Electricity Sources.[2]
  • A natural gas combined cycle plant has a life cycle emissions range of 410-650 g CO2 eq/kWh.[3]
  • A natural gas combined cycle life cycle emissions range of 306 - 681 g CO2 eq/kWh.[4]
  • A natural gas combustion turbine life cycle emissions range of 487 - 987 g CO2 eq/kWh.[5]
  • A natural gas combined cycle life cycle emissions of 499.1 g CO2 eq/kWh.[6]

Lifetime of Gas Plant

Lifetime CO2 estimates by GEM's Global Oil and Gas Plant Tracker assume gas plants operate over a 30 year lifetime[7], and 5 years for plants older than 30 years.

Limitations

The following are limitations with the CO2 emissions estimates calculated in GEM's Global Oil and Gas Plant Tracker:

  • Generation data (from Ember) used to calculate country/area-level capacity factor often lags GEM's Global OIl and Gas Plant Tracker data, which is updated twice yearly. For example, the latest generation for a country/area may be for 2021, but the operating capacity is taken from GEM's February 2024 data release.
  • Lifecycle emissions factor assumes constant value for all gas plant technologies. An older gas turbine or steam turbine gas plant may have higher lifecycle emissions than a newer combined cycle gas plant.
  • Capacity factor is applied at the country/area level, not asset level. Depending on the use of the gas plant (ie: peaker vs. baseload) the actual capacity factor at the asset level may vary.

Articles and Resources

References

  1. "IPCC 5th Assessment Report, Annex III, Technology-specific Cost and Performance Parameters" (PDF). Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Retrieved August 25, 2022. {{cite web}}: line feed character in |title= at position 68 (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. "Carbon Neutrality in the UNECE Region: Integrated Life-cycle Assessment of Electricity Sources" (PDF). United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. 2021. {{cite web}}: line feed character in |title= at position 39 (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. "Climate Change 2014: Mitigation of Climate Change. Contribution of Working Group III to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change" (PDF). {{cite web}}: line feed character in |title= at position 92 (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. "The role of natural gas and its infrastructure in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, improving regional air quality, and renewable resource integration". Progress in Energy and Combustion Science. 64. 2018-01-01. doi:10.1016/j.pecs.2017.10.002. ISSN 0360-1285.
  5. "The role of natural gas and its infrastructure in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, improving regional air quality, and renewable resource integration". Progress in Energy and Combustion Science. 64. 2018-01-01. doi:10.1016/j.pecs.2017.10.002. ISSN 0360-1285.
  6. "Life Cycle Assessment of a Natural Gas Combined-Cycle Power Generation System" (PDF). National Renewable Energy Laboratory.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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