The First Geothermal Plant in the World – The first geothermal generation in the world began after Piero Ginori Conti , a businessman and politician from Italy discovered the first geothermal generator in 1904.
After 116 years, 2020 recorded total electricity generation from geothermal reaching 15,608 Mega Watt (MWe).
America is the first largest country in generating electricity from geothermal energy with a total generation capacity of 3,714 MWe. Next followed by Indonesia (2,130.7 MWe), the Philippines (1,918 MWe), Turkey (1,688 MWe), New Zealand (1,005 MWe), Mexico (983 MWe), Italy (944 MWe), Kenya (861 MWe), Iceland ( 755 MWe), Japan (603 MWe) and other countries (1,025 MWe).
Piero Ginori Conti, Father of Geothermal Energy
Piero Ginori Conti , Prince of Trevignano , was born in Florence, Italy on June 3, 1865 and died on December 3, 1939. Piero was born into an aristocratic family, he was a leading businessman and politician of his time.
In 1904, Piero Ginori Conti worked at the boric acid extraction company founded by his wife’s ancestor, Adriana de Larderel (1872–1925) in Larderello.
In running his business, Conti tries to utilize steam from geysers as a source of electricity in the hope of improving product quality and increasing production but at a low cost
On July 4, 1904, Conti succeeded in lighting five lamps using a dynamo driven by a geothermal steam turbine. Until 1905, Conti succeeded in increasing its electricity production capacity to 20 kW.
In 1912, Conti became the successor to the family business inherited by his in-laws. In that year Conti succeeded in building the first geothermal power plant in Larderello. In addition, Conti succeeded in merging three companies that produce Borac Acid into one new company, The Societa Boracifera Larderello.
In 1914, Conti succeeded in increasing the electrical capacity of his generator to 2750 kW and illuminated the entire Larderello as well as two nearby towns, Volterra and Pomarance.
Larderello Power Station, Italy, 1913
Larderello Power Plant, Italy, is the first and oldest power plant in the world. This plant is a development of Piero Ginori Conti’s discovery in 1904. Larderello Unit 1 of the world’s first geothermal power plant was built in 1913 with a generating capacity of 250 kW and its capacity was increased to 2750 kW in 1914. Currently, the capacity for generating electricity from geothermal energy is in Larderello reached 944 MWe.
Wairakei Power Station, New Zealand, 1958
The Wairakei power plant, New Zealand, is the second geothermal power plant built in the world. Wairakei Unit 1 was completed and operated in 1958. Its location is to the north of Taupo City.
The Geysers Power Station, America, 1962
The Geyser power plant is the first power plant located in America. This plant was completed in 1962 with a capacity of 11 MWe
The Geyser, located in California, is the field with the world’s largest electricity production currently. Its generation capacity reaches 1,590 MWe, from 18 existing plants.
Currently America is the largest producer of geothermal electricity in the world with an installed capacity of 3,714 MW from 69 plants located in several states.
Matsukawa Power Station, Japan, 1966
The Matsukawa power plant (Matsukawa Jinetsu Hatsudensho) was the first geothermal power plant to operate in Japan in 1966. Its generation capacity at that time was 9.5 MWe, currently its generation capacity has reached 23.5 MWe.
Currently Japan has 20 geothermal power plants located in 18 different locations and has succeeded in generating 603 MWe.
Bjarnarflag Power Station, Iceland, 1966
Bjarnarflag power plant, Iceland, construction completed in 1966, with a capacity of 3 MWe. Currently, Iceland produces electricity from geothermal energy reaching 755 MWe. Currently 99.96 percent of Iceland’s electricity needs use geothermal energy.
Cerro Prieto Power Plant, Mexico, 1973
The Cerro Prieto Unit power plant was the first geothermal power plant in Mexico, this plant became operational in April 1973.
Cerro Prieto is renowned as the world’s largest water-dominated geothermal power plant, with a total of 850 MWe of electricity generation from this field.
Currently, Mexico has succeeded in generating 963 MWe from geothermal energy.
Kizildere Power Station, Türkiye, 1974
The Kizildere power plant was Turkey’s first geothermal plant, first operational in 1974, using a prototype with a capacity of 500 kW.
Only in 1984, the Kızıldere Jeothermal Elektrik Santralı plant was able to operate with an installed capacity of 17.4 MWe. In 2013, installed capacity reached 95 MWe.
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Currently Türkiye’s geothermal generation capacity reaches 1688 MWe.
Ahuachapan Power Plant, El Salvador, 1975
The Ahuachapan power plant was El Salvador’s first geothermal plant, located in Ahuachapan and operating since 1975 with a capacity of 95 MWe.
The second plant in El Salvador is Berlin with a capacity of 109 MWe. Geothermal meets 20 percent of El Salvador’s electricity needs from these two fields.
Leyte Power Plant, Philippines, 1977
The Leyte power plant was operational in 1977, the Philippines’ first plant producing 3 MW using a portable wellhead generator .
Currently, the Philippines’ geothermal electricity generation capacity reaches 1918 MWe.
Okaria I Power Station, Kenya, 1981
Okaria I Power Plant is the first geothermal power plant in Kenya and Africa, this plant has been operating since 1981, with a generation capacity of 15 MWe. The field supporting facilities were completed several years later. In 1985, the installed capacity of this field reached 185 MWe.
Currently, Kenya’s installed geothermal electricity capacity reaches 861 MWe.
Kamojang Power Plant, Indonesia, 1982
The Kamojang power plant has been operating since 1982, and currently the installed capacity of this field is 235 MWe. This field is located in Garut Regency, West Java.
This field was first discovered by Dutch Geologist JB Van Dijk in 1918. The Dutch Colonial Government carried out drilling in the period 1926 – 1928. The KMJ-3 well is still emitting steam.
Momotombo Power Plant, Nicaragua, 1983
The Momotombo power plant was the first geothermal power plant in Niaragua, first operating in 1983 with a capacity of 35 MWe. The 2nd unit was operational in 1989, bringing the total geothermal generation capacity in Momotumbo to 70 MWe.
Miravalles Power Plant, Costa Rica, 1994
The Miravalles power plant was operational in 1994 with an installed capacity of 55 MWe, Costa Rica’s first plant has a total capacity of 207 MWe today.
Ortitlan Power Plant, Guatemala, 1998
The Ortitlan power plant is the first geothermal plant in Guatemala, operating since 1998 with a generation capacity of 5 MWe. Construction of the 2nd Unit was completed in 2008 with a capacity of 20 MWe.
Platanares Power Plant, Honduras, 2018
The Platanares power plant, operational in 2018, is the first geothermal power plant in Honduras, with a generation capacity of 35 MWe.
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