| Title | Jaime Mario E. Vaca Serrano |
|---|---|
| Authors | Mexican Geothermal Development and the Future Direction |
| Year | 1997 |
| Conference | Japan International Geothermal Symposium |
| Keywords | |
| Abstract | Geothermics in Mexico started in 1954, by drilling the first geothermal well in Pathe, State of Hidalgo, which reached 237 meters depth. In 1959 began electrical generation from geothermal origin, with an installed capacity of 3.5 MW. From 1959 to 1994 Mexico increased its installed capacity to 753 MW, by developing ofthree geothermal fields: Cerro Prieto in the State of Baja California, Los Azufres in the State of Michoacan, and Los Humeros in the State of Puebla. Currently, 177 wells produce steam at a rate of 36 tons per hour (tlb) each. Comisi6n Federal de Electricidad (CFE, Federal Commission for Electricity) has planned to increase the geothe:rmal-electric installed capacity through construction and installation of the following projects: Maritaro, 2 units of 20 MW each; Cerro Prieto 100, 4 units of 25 MW each; and Los Humeros, 2 units of 25 MW each. Repowering of operating units and development of new geothermal zones, like La Primavera and Las Tres Virgenes, will allow also the Mexican geothermal growth, at short and middle term. |