The president of the Hydroelectric Executive Commission of the Lempa River, Daniel Alvarez, assured that at present, two geothermal fields and various works of enlargement and analysis of new generation areas in the country are in execution to take advantage of this non-polluting energy source.

In El Salvador, this source represents 25 percent of the energy matrix, and this year the Government will implement new projects to continue to expand its participation, Alvarez said.

With this vision in mind, two geothermal power plants are under construction, one in San Vicente and the other one in Chinameca, in San Miguel.

The executive added that the institution identified new fields where steam exists and projects can be executed to increase generation.

The number of wells is variable, but in terms of megawatts installed, only in Chinameca and San Vicente, we will have an installed capacity of around 120 additional megawatts, he said.

As part of the favorable management of this type of energy, the country inaugurated the international geothermal workshop ‘Short Course’, attended by leading specialists from 16 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean to share and expand knowledge in this field, Alvarez noted.

The international meeting, which will take place for over two weeks, will address various topics, including geology, geophysics, geochemistry, engineering, reservoirs, plant design and the environment.

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