20 geothermal projects on the agenda in Peru
Peru, geothermal, potential, projects
Alexander Richter
11 Oct 2021
The Peruvian Ministry of Energy and Mines has registered 20 authorization requests for geothermal projects, particularly in the South of the country, according to the Peruvian Renewable Energy Association (SPR).
The energy matrix used to produce electricity in the country is 95% based on hydroelectric and gas-fired thermal plants, and 5% on wind and solar. But, there is another technology not yet used in Peru and that is beginning to take its first steps: geothermal energy, so an article in Revista Minería & Energía last week from Peru.
Today, the Ministry of Energy and Mines already registers 20 authorization requests for the development of geothermal projects, especially in the south, Brendan Oviedo, president of the Peruvian Renewable Energy Association (SPR), told Gestión.
Studies begin
He pointed out that there are companies that have already begun to develop environmental impact studies. Until the middle of this year, two projects of this type were known, from the Energy Development Corporation (EDC) that were beginning procedures: Uchumani, in Arequipa, and Quello Apacheta, in Moquegua, both for US $1 billion.
If the 20 projects are completed, investments of US $ 15 billion could be generated.
Potential
He explained that in the south, a generation potential of 3,000 MW has been identified, in general. Unlike wind and solar plants (which interrupt their energy supply when there is no wind or at night, in each case), electricity generation with geothermal plants is continuous, 24 hours a day, he stressed.
However, in the previous four auctions of unconventional renewable energy (RER) that were called years ago (between 2009 and 2016), geothermal power plants had not been included, as were wind and solar plants.
RER
In general, Oviedo said that Renewable Energy (RER) generation technologies, including wind and solar, have evolved and produce increasingly at lower costs, in such a way that they would no longer require a subsidy (as in past auctions), and could help reduce electricity rates . But, he said, Minem is still required to apply regulatory changes, such as those proposed by Osinergmin, so that in the following tenders, RER projects are allowed to submit proposals only for the sale of energy, and not power (installed capacity ).
Source: Mineria Energia
