The status of world geothermal power generation 1995-2000

In order to assess the current status of international geothermal power generation, the author has reviewed the Country Update (CU) papers submitted to the World Geothermal Conference 2000 in Japan from nations generating or planning to generate electricity. Salient facts in these papers have been synthesized and summary descriptions of geothermally-related activities written. Finally, following a brief discussion, conclusions are drawn and appropriate tables and graphs presented. The CU reviews revealed that: (1) geothermally-fueled electric power is being generated in 21 nations as of February 2000; (2) the installed capacity has reached 7974 MWe, which is a 16.7% increase since 1995; the total energy generated during the last 5 years has been at least 49,261 GWh; about 1165 wells more than 100 m deep have been drilled, and at least 13,621 person-years of professional geothermists' time has been expended in the nations that reported this statistic. (C) 2001 IGA. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd on behalf of CNR. All rights reserved.