Energy Sources, Vol.20, No.8, 743-751, 1998
Mexican geothermal development and the future
Geothermics in Mexico started in 1954, by drilling the first geothermal well in Pathe Stare of Hidalgo, which reached a depth of 237 meters. In 1959 electrical generation from geothermal origin began, with an installed capacity of 3.5 MW: From 1959 to 1994 Mexico increased its installed capacity to 753 MW: by developing three geothermal fields: Cerro Prieto, Los Azufres, and Los Humeros. Currently, 177 wells produce steam at a rate of 36 tons per hour (t/h) each. Comision Federal de Electricidad (CFE, Federal Commission of Electricity! has planned to increase the geothermal-electric installed capacity through construction and installation of several projects. Repowering of operating units and development of new geothermal tones will also allow Mexican geothermal growth.