Update Status of the Geothermal Development in Guatemala

Abstract

Far the last 20 years, the Republic of Guatemala, through the Unidad de Desarrollo (UDG) of the lnstituto Nacional de the utility company, has been carrying out continuous geoscientific studies of its territory with the objective of locating and evaluating areas with geothermal resources in order to generate electricity. As result of these studies, 14 areas have been located and defined as geothermal prospects. most of them are sited along the Guatemalan volcanic chain. Of these areas, five have been ranked as first order priority. They are at different levels of development. Zunil Iin western Guatemala, is the most extensively studied area. The first geothermal power plant is under construction and planned to be line by the end of 1995, with a production of 24 Zunil located east of Zunil I, has studies at prefeasability level, Amatitlin, in central Guatemala, (28 km south of Guatemala City) the level of studies is at feasability, San Marcos in the west, Moyuta and Tecuamburro in the east part of Guatemala have studies at prefeasability level. Also in the area of Zunil I a farm-produce dryer plant has been built through a technical cooperation agreement between INDE and Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and is using steam from slim hole to dry fruits and vegetables.