5-MW geothermal pilot project in Meshginshahr, Iran starts grid supply
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The 5.4-MW geothermal power plant has finally come online, marking the operation of the first geothermal power plant in Iran.
The 5.4 MW Meshginshahr geothermal power plant in Shahr County, Ardabil Province in Iran has successfully been connected to the country’s electricity grid, making it the first geothermal power plant to be operational in Iran.
Constructed an altitude of about 2700 mASL on the slopes of the Sabalan Mountain Range, the project faced numerous challenges related to weather, terrain, and site access. Indeed, the development process for the Meshginshahr has been protracted and chronicled through many years. Early geothermal exploration activities started in 1975, with the Meshginshahr site already identified as a high-potential site based on recommendations made in 1995-1996 (Fotouhi & Noorollahi, 1975).
Plans for a 5-MW geothermal power development in Meshginshahr can be traced as far back as 2011 (and possibly earlier). Through the following years, numerous reports announced seemingly perpetually changing target dates for when the facility would be operational, as well as repeated pronouncements that it will be operational soon – from 2013, to 2015, 2021, and 2022.
Ministry of Energy Abbas Aliabadi states that the pilot plant was built on a geothermal reservoir which has an estimated production capacity of 250 MW. Moreover, several wells have already been drilled to depths of up to 3000 meters, which can support up to 30 MW of production capacity.
The Minister further adds that the implementation of the Meshginshahr power plant has helped Iran build its knowledge on geothermal exploration, design, implementation, and exploitation. These will be critical to support the plans to further expand the generation capacity in Meshginshahr and develop geothermal power plants in other parts of the country.
Despite all the logistical and technical difficulties, on top of the complexity of building a geothermal power plant in their country for the first time, our congratulations goes to Iran for reaching the culmination of what has been a very long development process. The achievement also bestows upon Iran the distinction of being one of only two countries in West Asia to have an operating geothermal power plant.
Source: MAPNA Group and IRNA
