RUSSIA ROCKS

摘要

At the far eastern edge of Russia, the Kamchatka peninsula hosts one of the country's most promising renewable resources in the form of abundant geothermal energy.With 90 volcanoes and hundreds of hot springs, Kamchatka is estimated to possess geothermal potential equivalent to 2 GW of power production, including 300 MW at the high-temperature Mutnovskoe field alone.RusHydro, which is responsible for strategic development of geothermal energy in Russia, operates two plants in Kamchatka with a combined capacity of 62 MW, one of which recently signed a deal to supply local mining operations.In October 2010 energy minister Sergei Shmatko signalled the country's intent to develop its geothermal resources further. This will include co-operation with Iceland, widely acknowledged as the global leaders in geothermal exploitation, which could see the two countries launch joint projects in Kamchatka.