Mexico’s public technology organization, CONACYT, will fund the new Centro Mexicano de Innovación Geotérmica and several project proposals.
Category Archives: Geothermal
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Chile – Geothermal: Projects on the horizon, but more incentives needed
Long distances in Chile require large geothermal sites (>70 MW), but some argue geothermal should be prioritized over intermittent renewables.
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Chile – Geothermal: GGE progresses on most promising well in S. America
GGE completed the first development phase of its well on the Tolhuaca volcano in southern Chile, which could produce 12 MW. -Hat tip Emily Douglas
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Chile: IDB pushes government to explore new renewables projects
International Development Bank representatives in Chile are pushing for additional investments in renewable generation, in particular goethermal and ocean energy projects.
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Chile – Geothermal: Project south of capital to generate 50 MW
Potential geothermal sources, Southern Chile (Courtesy Min Minerias)
Canadian geothermal producer Magma Energy announced last week that it had been awarded an exploitation permit to develop up to 50 MW of electricity generation in the central region of Talca. The permit covers the Laguna de Maule property, which is part of the greater Mariposa Geothermal Reservoir (estimated total reserves of 320 MW) located on the border between Chile and Argentina. The Ministerio de Mineria opened a licensing round for 20 different geothermal properties last June as part of a renewed push to develop renewable energy sources in Chile.
Magma plans to conclude initial development wells by the end of 2010. According to the company, “Mariposa is within 25 km of two planned hydro power plants and associated transmission lines.”
Several geothermal projects are in the development stages in Chile, although it remains largely an underutilized resource at present despite the high level of potential reserves (total resources estimated at up to 16 GW). Chile passed the Ley de Geotermia in 2000 to regulate geothermal energy developments, and the government has recieved around 100 geothermal project proposals since that time.
