EGP strengthened its presence in geothermal energy in the USA by opening the Cove Fort plant, while in Italy it continued to invest in Tuscany and celebrated the 100th birthday of the Larderello facility.
With the investments for the development of geothermal energy in Tuscany to the opening of the Cove Fort plant in the United States, the inauguration of the Museum of Geothermal energy and the signing of the new memorandum of understandingwith the Region of Tuscany, 2013 has been a really important year for Enel Green Power in geothermal energy.
The most recent achievement was the opening of the Cove Fort geothermal plant, EGP’s first facility in the American State of Utah, a cutting edge medium enthalpy binary cycle geothermal plant with an installed capacity of 25 megawatts which needed investment of about $126million and can generate up to 160 gigawatt-hours per year. Cove Fort is also supported by a 20-year energy purchase contract.
On the occasion of the centenary of the Larderello geothermal plant in Italy, the Region of Tuscany signed a new memorandum of understanding with Enel which is aimed at creating a genuine linked geothermal industry, through the use of geothermal energy not only in electricity production, but also in expanding the remote heating network and the use of geothermal for industrial heating.
In the meantime, work on the refurbishment of Piancastagnaio has continued. From last year up to now EGP has invested €90million, creating a significant and positive impact for local business. Operations have included improving efficiency, the installation of AMIS systems to help reduce emissions and the construction of PC3’s new ‘thermal duct’. EGP will invest €500 million in Tuscany to aid development of geothermal energy.
The Museum of Geothermal Energy was inaugurated at the Enel Green Power Village in Larderello in September. This technologically advanced building is the hub of a series of geothermal tourists attractions and brings in more than 50,000 visitors each year.