GUATEMALA HAS VOLCANOES OF GEOTHERMAL

Guatemalan Volcanoes: Huge Potential for Geothermal Power
2010 September 24 (NTD Televison Taiwan)

"Central America sits above shifting tectonic plates in the Pacific basin, and this often results in earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. But it also provides a potential source of unlimited green energy in the form of geothermal power. Guatemala's Pacaya volcano…[erupted] only months ago…providing a spectacular demonstration of the power that Guatemala's government hopes can be tapped for practical use…

"Some 1,640 feet (500 meters) below the summit of Pacaya, pipes carrying steam and water at 347 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) snake across the mountainside to one of two geothermal plants currently operating in the country. Run by Israeli-owned Ormat Technologies Inc, the plant harnesses energy from water heated by chambers filled with molten rock deep beneath the ground…"

Guatemala is in the geothermally enriched Ring of Fire. (click to enlarge)

"Geothermal power plants, while expensive to build, can provide a long-term, reliable source of electricity…They are considered more environmentally friendly than large hydroelectric dams that can alter a country's topography.

"Ormat's project is only a 20 MW station but Guatemala says the country has the potential to produce up to 1,000 MW of geothermal energy, a third of projected energy needs in 2022…"

click to enlarge

"Guatemala only produces a tiny amount of its own oil and spends about $2 billion a year on imports. The aim is to save money on energy costs and join international efforts to cut green house gas emissions…

"Guatemala, Central America's biggest country, aims to produces 60 percent of its energy from geothermal and hydroelectric power by 2022…The government is offering tax breaks on equipment to set up geothermal plants and electricity regulators are requiring distributors buy greater proportions of clean energy."