PRESENT STATUS OF GEOTHERMAL-ELECTRICITY IN MEXICO

Abstract

Currently there are four geothermal fields operating in Mexico, with a total installed capacity of 858 megawatts (MW): Cerro Prieto (720 MW), Los Azufres (93 MW), Los Humeros (35 MW) and Las Tres VÌrgenes (10 MW). During 2001 in these fields more than 170 geothermal wells produced 56 million tons of steam, and almost 75 million tons of associated geothermal brine which had to be safety disposed through injection wells and an evaporation pond. A new development of 100 MW is currently under construction in the Los Azufres field, and other additional geothermal fields and zones are well known in the country. Even though the geothermal electric generation weights only 3% of the national electric generation, locally represents up to 60% of the electric supplying. .