Abstract: A method of controlling primary measures for reducing the thermal nitrogen oxide formation in gas turbines, the primary measures being controlled according to a characteristic which characterizes an air-quantity-specific heat release rate in a combustion chamber of the gas turbine. In order to approximately determine the heat release rate, the power output available at an output-side end of a useful-power shaft of the gas turbine is used, and the air quantity is determined as a function of the ambient conditions. The useful power is preferably determined from the electric terminal power output of a generator driven by the gas turbine, and the electric terminal power output is advantageously corrected with a term which takes into account the combustion-chamber pressure. Furthermore, when the air quantity is being determined, if need be the position of an adjustable preliminary guide row is also taken into account.