First Approach of Environmental Impact Assessment of Cerro Prieto Geothermal Power Plant, BC Mexico

Abstract

The sustainable development is based on three main aspects: social, economic and environmental. However, the international institutions of energy consider that the economic growth improves social and environmental aspects. Therefore, the sustainable indicators coming from these institutions are based to economic productivity. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) gives an overview of the environmental conditions that has prevailed in the Cerro Prieto geothermal power plant throughout its existence. The EIA is based on five criteria: importance of condition (A1), magnitude of change or effect (A2), permanence (B1), feasibility (B2) and cumulative (B3). Where B3 is the means to judge the sustainability of the condition and should not be confused with a permanent or irreversible situation. This study presents the first stage of evaluation of the nature of sustainable development of the Cerro Prieto geothermal power plant in Mexico, based on the Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix (RIAM).