Mexican Center for Innovation in Geothermal Energy inaugurated
The Mexico Center for Innovation in Geothermal Energy (CEMIE-Geo) has been officially inaugurated by SENER and CONACYT.
With financing of more than Pesos 950 million (around $54 million) of the Sustainable Energy Fund of the Ministry of Energy (SENER) and the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT), the Mexican Center for Innovation in Geothermal Energy (CEMIE-Geo) has been officially inaugurated.
The center lead by the Cicese consortium involves around 22 entities. At the event, Pedro Joaquin Coldwell, the Secretaryof Energy announced that the first geothermal power plant in the province of Nayarit will be built with private capital and provide 25 MW. This is a milestone project and will encourage more companies to invest in geothermal projects in Mexico.
NAFINSA and the Inter-American Development Bank have made available risk insurance for the exploration phase of geothermal projects , which will unlock further funding for development in the country.
In July 2015 SENER awarded CFE 13 geothermal exploration permits, to ensure the consolidation of CFE projects and to open the way for private investment. In November 2015, SENER issued the first title of exploitation concession to a private company and two exploration permits. Out of this one project will now soon start a geothermal power plant. The Mexican energy innovation centers have created added value for the national energy industry, strengthened research capacity, promoted the development of infrastructure and helped specialise human resource training.
The Geothermal Center for Innovation is now completing the third of eight stages as part of a four year program. 443 people have participated, of which 145 are researchers, 11 postdocs, 142 academic technicians, 32 administrative and 114 students. The building of the Center features three levels, a reception, lobby, storage area for field equipment, five laboratories (units) and three additional areas. The laboratories are used in the context of geothermal reservoirs, geothermal fluids, rocks analysis, isotopic analysis and numerical simulation, modelling and visualization. Administrative offices, cubicles, meating rooms, board room, a cafeteria and an auditorium for up to 60 people complement the center.
The investment to date for land, construction and equipment for the center’s laboratories is about Pesos 443 million ($25 million).
The Center’s website can be found here: http://www.cemiegeo.org/
Source: Frontera