Nicaragua Country Update

Abstract

Geothermal exploration began in Nicaragua at the end of the 1960s, focusing on the Momotombo and San Jacinto geothermal fields, demonstrating the large geothermal potential in the country.
Medium and high-temperature resources are associated with the Maribios range, an active quaternary volcanic chain of the Nicaraguan depression.
The commercial exploitation of Momotombo started in 1983 when the first 35MW unit was installed to operate. A second unit of 35 MW was installed in 1989.
In August 1999, Ormat International Inc, won a 15 year build-operate-transfer contract to exploit the geothermal resource and improve electricity output at the Momotombo geothermal field; affected by the decline of pressure in the last two decades.
A geothermal master plan for Nicaragua was completed in November 2001.
In November 2002, the country's geothermal law was approved by the National Assembly.
In November 2002, a 7.5MW Ormat binary energy converter came on line, raising generation capacity at Momotombo.
In the past three years, the international atomic energy agency conducted isotopic studies around Mombacho volcano and Tipitapa area.
In October 2003, the government of Nicaragua granted an exploitation geothermal concession to San Jacinto power to develop the San Jacinto geothermal field to achieve 66MW. According to a generation license given to San Jacinto power, two backpressure turbines will be installed in 2004.