Momotombo Geothermal Field

Abstract

With the beginning of operations of a 35-MW unit in Momotombo in August, 1983, Nicaragua joined the select group of countries that exploits geothermal resources for the purpose of producing electricity. Considering the old age of existing steam power plants, Nicaragua’s dependence on electricity, and its economic hardships, geothermal energy has become a vitally important source of base load power and the government is rapidly accelerating geothermal development.

A second 35-MW unit has recently been placed in service in Momotombo field, increasing installed capacity to 70 MW. Current plans for Momotombo field include the drilling of four additional production wells for field development. These will be needed even though there is currently sufficient steam for both plants, because a reservoir pressure decline of five percent is anticipated during the next five years.

Several other geothermal areas in different regions of Nicaragua are being studied. These include the El Hoyo-Monte Galan, San Jacinto-Tizate, and Granada-Masaya-Nandaime prospect areas.