Power generated from geothermal sources can make a substantial impact on the global energy market. Because of this, the need for eco-friendly electricity generation options keeps expanding.
Using heat pumps, geothermal technology brings steam or hot water up from the earth’s interior. Three different kinds of power plants may harness geothermal energy: binary cycle power plants, dry steam power plants, and flash steam power plants.
Geothermal energy’s consistent and predictable supply, cheap cost, and minimal carbon impact make it an appealing power source for the future, especially in the context of the green energy transition.
In 2018, more than 14,000 MW of geothermal energy capacity was installed around the world, according to recent statistics. Here are some of the leading countries when it comes to utilising geothermal power.
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8 leading countries in geothermal energy production
The following are the leading countries in the production of geothermal energy:
1. United States
With an annual output of 16.7 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) and a generating capacity of 3,639 megawatts in 2018, the United States is the world leader in geothermal energy production. The Geysers, the largest geothermal complex in the world, is located in the heart of California and consists of 22 individual geothermal power facilities.
Geothermal steam energy from 350 wells is used to power the facility. Which serves the counties of Napa, Marin, Mendocino, Lake, and Sonoma
2. Indonesia
In 2018, Indonesia had the second-highest geothermal capacity in the world, at 1,948 megawatts. Some experts predict that by 2027, Indonesia’s geothermal capacity will exceed that of the United States.
The country is home to two of the largest geothermal power stations in operation today. And, to four of the world’s leading ten geothermal power projects overall.
The Gunung Salak plant, which went live in 1994, has the highest active capacity in the world at 375 megawatts. Although the Sarulla 1 project, which went live in 2017, comes in at a close second at 330 megawatts.
3. Philippines
With around 1,868 megawatts in 2018, the Southeast Asian country’s geothermal power capacity put it in third place among the world’s top countries in this field.
Furthermore, powerful geothermal facilities, such as the 289 megawatts Tiwi Geothermal Complex and the 458 megawatts Makban Geothermal Complex, can be found in the Philippines.
The Calauan in Laguna and the municipalities of Bay and Santo Tomas in Batangas make up the Makban Geothermal Complex.
4. Turkey
According to the Global Geothermal Status Report, Turkey’s 1,347 megawatts of installed capacity for geothermal power production places it fourth among the world’s leading geothermal power-producing countries in 2018. In terms of installed nameplate capacity, the Kzldere Geothermal Power Station is among the largest in the country with 95 megawatts.
Southern Turkey’s Denizli Province is home to the plant, namely the village of Kzldere in the Sarayköy district. Considerable expansion is being made to the Efeler geothermal power plant in Aydin to equip it with a 260 megawatts capacity.
5. New Zealand
In 2018, New Zealand’s installed geothermal capacity was 1,005 megawatts, making it the last country with a capacity of more than one gigawatt.
Moreover, according to the NZ Geothermal Association, geothermal energy accounts for around 13% of the country’s total electricity supply, making a sizable contribution to the country’s overall power-producing capability.
Taupo is where you’ll find most of New Zealand’s high-temperature geothermal fields. The country’s major geothermal plants include Mokai, Wairakei, Te Mihi, and Nga Awa Purua.
6. Italy
In 2018, Italy’s Larderello Geothermal Complex, which is comprised of 34 units, had a capacity of 944 megawatts. Making it one of the world’s largest geothermal complexes.
There are 4,000-meter-deep reservoirs at the site in Tuscany, central Italy.
Almost two million homes and 8,700 commercial and industrial users in the country benefit from the clean energy produced by the Larderello Geothermal Complex.
7. Mexico
There was a total of 951 megawatts of geothermal power capacity in the South American country by the end of 2018. With the majority of that coming from the Cerro Prieto Geothermal Power Station complex, which can generate about 820 megawatts.
The Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE) owns and operates the facility in Baja California.
The first of the complex’s five separate units was built and put into service in 1973.
8. Iceland
High levels of volcanic activity in the region make it particularly appropriate for the energy source. And, in 2018, the country’s total geothermal power capacity was recorded at 755 megawatts.
Around 20 kilometres east of the capital city of Reykjavik is where you’ll find the Hellisheidi power plant. This is a prominent geothermal facility in the country.
The power plant, which occupies a space of roughly 13 thousand square metres, can create 400 MW (MW) of thermal energy and 303 megawatts (MW) of electric energy.
Developments in geothermal plants worldwide
Although the industry as a whole continues to encounter difficulties, new capacity has been installed in a number of nations. Including Taiwan (reestablishing power generation at Qingshui with a 4.2 MW plant) and Colombia (small-scale ORC units using co-produced oil).
By the end of 2021, geothermal power plants had an installed capacity of 15,854 megawatts. This is an increase of 246 megawatts from the previous year.
Read also: Hydroelectric power, the leading producing countries worldwide
