Project Detail |
This project will support the Government of El Salvador to increase renewable electricity generation and geothermal direct use for productive use applications. The project will support the development of the Chinameca geothermal field with the purpose of furthering the diversification of the energy matrix in El Salvador to reduce energy costs, increase power system resilience to extreme weather and natural disasters, and promote local economic development. This project will provide financial resources to LaGeo (publicly owned geothermal developer) for the following: Component 1: Drilling campaign to confirm geothermal resources, including well drilling and assessments to confirm and characterize geothermal resource availability in the Chinameca field; Component 2: Investment in Geothermal Electricity Generation Capacity, that will finance the construction of a geothermal power plant, including the steam and brine piping system; Component 3: Implementation of social and environmental programs to promote the direct use of geothermal waste heat for new economic opportunities in the communities around the geothermal plant within the Dry Corridor; implementation of mitigation measures for environmental and social impacts; and development of studies to support the creation of the Geothermal Center of Excellence that will facilitate local development and green job creation; and Component 4: Technical Assistance and Project Implementation Support, to support LaGeo in strengthening its technical and administrative capacity to execute the project. The project is expected to help lower the cost of electricity and fossil fuel imports in El Salvador by displacing more polluting and expensive thermal power generation, support climate change mitigation and adaptation, and contribute to creation of local economic opportunities and green jobs. To increase renewable electricity generation and geothermal direct use for productive use applications |