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Zunil28.6 MW Geothermal

GeothermalRenewable

Zunil is a 28.6 MW geothermal power plant in Guatemala, commissioned in 1999. Ranked #1 of 2 geothermal plants in Guatemala, Zunil represents 53.16% of the country's total geothermal capacity of 54 MW. The largest geothermal plant in Guatemala is Zunil itself at 29 MW. Nearby plants include Palo Gordo (76.9 MW, Biomass), Tulula (50 MW, Biomass), and El Canada (48.1 MW, Hydro). The facility is located in the Quetzaltenango region, approximately 30 km from the city of Quetzaltenango.

Capacity
28.6 MW
Commissioning Year
1999

27 years old

Owner
Ormat Technologies
Location
14.7700°, -91.5050°

Guatemala, North America

Location
Coordinates:: 14.770000, -91.505000
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Technical Details
Primary Fuel Type
Geothermal
Energy Source
Renewable
Country
Guatemala
Continent
North America
Data Source
Global Power Plant Database
GuatemalaEnergy Profile
76
Total Plants
3.7 GW
Total Capacity
HydroOilBiomassCoal
Top Fuels
Understanding Geothermal Power Generation: An Overview

Geothermal power generation harnesses the Earth's internal heat to produce electricity. This renewable energy source exploits the thermal energy stored beneath the Earth's crust, which can be accessed through geothermal power plants. These plants typically utilize steam or hot water from geothermal reservoirs to drive turbines that generate electricity. The process begins by drilling wells into geothermal reservoirs, often located in tectonically active regions, where the temperature gradient is favorable for energy extraction. The steam or hot water extracted is then channeled to turbines, converting thermal energy into mechanical energy, which is subsequently transformed into electrical energy by generators.

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