An Unfinished Journey

摘要

During the last three decades, geothermal development in Mexico has grown from a single 37.5-MW power plant to 37 units of various types (backpressure, condensing, binary) and output (0.3 to 110 MW), for a total installed capacity of 953 MW. This equates to an increase of 2,500 percent. Geothermal-electric generation in Mexico has grown from 193 GWh in 1973 to 5,400 GWh (with a maximum 5,900 GWh in 2000), for an increase of 3,000 percent. Mexican technicians at CFE and the former CEG have accomplished all of this development. Geothermal-electric generation during 2002 was 5,398 GWh, constituting 3 percent of total public service power generation in Mexico (178,510 GWh). Though this figure may seem small compared to total electricity generation in Mexico, it must be remembered that geothermal power development plays an important local role for the country. For instance, power produced at Cerro Prieto during the last three decades has supplied an average of 65 percent of regional demand in Baja California. During 10 of those 30 years, approximately 30 percent of the geothermal power produced at Cerro Prieto was exported to California through a long-term contract. And geothermal power generated at Piedras de Lumbre is changing the way of life for the isolated and marginal economic community of Maguarichic. Thirty years ago, Mexico started the long journey of developing its geothermal resources to produce electricity. Today it ranks third in the world for geothermal power production, behind only the United States and the Philippines. Certainly, many achievements have been gained, but more must be secured. The journey is far from finished!