World Geothermal Generation 2001-2005: State of the Art

Abstract

The Rapporteur reviewed all the Country Update papers for the nations where geothermal electricity is currently in operation.
The relevant figures are:
1. 24 countries generate power from geothermal resources;
2. The total installed capacity is 8 900 MW, corresponding to 8 000 MW of running capacity and supplying 57 000 GWh in 2003, an increase of 12% and 15% respectively with respect to year 2000;
3. 19 countries have performed significant drilling operations since 2000, with a total of 291 wells and 566 km of drilled depth, an average well depth of 1.9 km;
4. Costa Rica, France, Iceland, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Russia all show an important increase of relevant power plant installation activities (above 10% with respect to year 2000);
5. New entries among the geothermal electricity community are Austria, Germany and Papua New Guinea.
6. Plants from Argentina and Greece have been definitely dismantled.