| Abstract |
The Geotergua project is a joint venture between the European Community and INDE. Its objective is the prefeasibility study of the San Marcos geothermal area. The area is located near the Mexican border, 250 km west from Guatemala City and is sited in a calderic depression originated in the late tertiary lower Pleistocene age as a result of various strong pyroclastic eruptions. Numerous thermal springs with a temperature ranging from 23?C to boiling point have been found. The great majority of these springs are along or near the Palatza and the Naranjo rivers, they are isotopically heavy. The geothermometry indicates temperatures of for the main reservoir, probably located within the dioritic basement. In order to evaluate all possible electrical production scenarios, different ranges of temperature, depth and flow of the wells, and discount rate were considered. The result of the economic evaluation provides, for the different types of plant evaluated, average costs lower than those of alternative energy sources in Guatemala (Thermal and Hydro). The study indicates the existence, in the San Marcos area, of a geothermal field suitable for electric production, of industrial capacity, and of economic value. |