Carrasco OCGT Power Plant Bolivia - 152.6 MW Gas-Fired Peaking Plant

Carrasco OCGT Power Plant Bolivia is an operational open-cycle gas turbine (OCGT) power station located in Bolivia, with a capacity of 152.6 MW. The plant uses natural gas as its primary fuel, a common choice in Bolivia due to the country's significant natural gas reserves. As an OCGT facility, it is designed for rapid start-up and flexible operation, typically serving peak demand periods or providing grid stability. The plant operates under Bolivia's national energy regulations, which are overseen by the Autoridad de Fiscalización y Control Social de Electricidad (AET). Bolivia's power sector relies heavily on natural gas, with OCGT and combined-cycle plants forming a major part of the generation mix. The 152.6 MW capacity places it in the medium-scale range for gas-fired plants in the region. Environmentally, the plant's gas-fired nature results in lower CO2 emissions per MWh compared to coal or oil, but it still contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Its OCGT technology is less efficient than combined-cycle plants, leading to higher specific emissions. The facility's location in central Bolivia supports the regional grid, serving industrial and urban demand centers.

The Carrasco OCGT Power Plant uses natural gas, which produces lower CO2, SOx, and NOx emissions per MWh compared to coal or oil, but still contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. As an OCGT, its thermal efficiency is lower than combined-cycle plants, resulting in higher fuel consumption and emissions per unit of electricity. The plant's location in Bolivia, a country with rich biodiversity, means that any local air quality impacts should be managed in line with national environmental standards.