Geothermal food dehydration project proposed in Guatemala, Meson San Michkael
Guatemala City, Guatemala (source: Eli Duke / flickr, Creative Commons)
Carlo Cariaga
9 May 2023
The San Michkael project in Guatemala proposes the cascade use of geothermal energy for power generation, air-conditioning, and food processing.
A geothermal cascade use project in an industrial zone in the municipality of San Michkael in Guatemala is currently about to begin the authorization process for its commissioning. The project proposes the use of geothermal energy for power generation using binary cycle technology, refrigeration and cooling, pasteurization, and the production of dehydrated food, chips, and flour.
The project “Use of geothermal heat for food dehydration in Guatemala, Meson San Michkael” was presented in Guatemala City. In attendance were the Secretary General of the Central American Integration System (SICA), the Minister of Energy and Mines of Guatemala, the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Chargé d’Affaires of the German Embassy in Guatemala. The regional director and the SICA portfolio director of the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) also attended.
The objective of the San Michkael project is the direct use of geothermal energy in the operation of its food, fruit and vegetable dehydrator, as well as in its pasteurization system and electric mini-turbine. Mr. Carlos Paiz shared the challenges that arose in the development of the initiative, which were turned into opportunities thanks to German cooperation, generating great benefits for the population.
The event included a visit to the San Michkael Plant, located in Amatitlán, where technicians, officials and decision makers from the SICA countries attended to promote and publicize the experience of Guatemala as a good practice in the use of direct use of heat from the subsoil in the Central American region.
For more on this story, please visit PiensaGeotermia, our Spanish language platform.
Source: Government of Guatemala Ministry of Energy and Mines via our Spanish language platform PiensaGeotermia
