Project Description (page last updated November 15, 2010)
The San Jacinto-Tizate geothermal project is located in the northwest of Nicaragua, near the city of Leon, approximately 100 km north of the capital city of Managua. The area has long been known for its natural fumaroles and geothermal resources, and San Jacinto-Tizate is one of the highest quality geothermal reservoirs being developed in the world. The concession has the potential to produce over 200 MW of power.
San Jacinto-Tizate is currently operating at 10 MW and is under a two-phase 72 MW expansion. Development of both phases will be completed with the addition of two 36 MW steam turbines manufactured by Fuji Electric. Construction for Phase I and Phase II is concurrent, and the completed expansions are expected to go on-line in early 2011 and early 2012, respectively.
Project Highlights
- 10 MW operating geothermal project, expanding to 46 MW by Q2 2011 and to 72 MW by Q1 2012.
- 25 year PPA with Disnorte-Dissur for up to 72 MW
- US$92/MWh All 72 MW beyond 2013
- 36 MW expansion by Q2 2011
- Addition of 36 MW flash turbine
- 36 MW expansion to 72 MW by Q1 2012
- Addition of second 36 MW flash turbine
- Decommissioning 10 MW plant
- Final Configuration 2 X 36 MW turbines
- Addition of 10 MW Bottoming Unit by Q3 2012 will bring total plant capacity to 82 MW
Project Updates
- March 2011 The re-drill and initial evaluation of production well SJ12-1 was successful, and the flow test results of production well SJ12-2 were successful as well
- November 2010 - Commercial operation dates for Phase I and Phase II have been adjusted, and are expected to be in Q2 2011 and Q1 2012 respectively
- November 2010 - Ram Power closes on $160 million Phase II debt financing
- September 2010 - Phase II drilling proceeds on schedule with two production wells (12-1 and 9-3) drilled and a third nearing completion
- August 2010 - Drilling on a second production well for the Phase II drilling program, SJ 9-3, is currently being targeted to a depth of approximately 6,000 feet and is expedted to be completed by the end of August 2010.
- July 2010 - Drilling on the first Phase II exploration/production well, SJ 12-1, is completed. Flow testing is expected to be conducted during August 2010
- April 2010 - The Company commenced its drilling/exploration program for the Phase II expansion
- December 2009 - Ram Power closes on $77 million Phase I debt financing
- December 2009 - Construction begins on the Phase I expansion
Project Location
Nicaragua Market Drivers
- Country rich in geothermal resources – natural fumaroles
- 260 - 305ºC observed at depth
- Extremely productive wells
- 77% of current power produced from imported fossil fuels
- Domestic and export demand for green power
- Take-or-pay PPA (22 year remaining term) with $12B (capital value) Spanish-owned utility Disnorte-Dissur
Nicaragua Resource Area Locations
Environmental Impact Document
March 8, 2010 - To assure compliance with the U.S. Pelosi Amendment, the following document is being made available to the public:
This Environmental Impact Document (DIA) was prepared for and approved by Nicaraguan national and local authorities for the 72 MW San Jacinto- Tizate geothermal generation project. This document was released for public scoping prior approval by the regulatory agency with the issuance of Administrative Resolution No. 30-2008, followed by Administrative Resolution No. 30-2008A allowing for a change to a more efficient turbine technology.
The objective of this document was to provide the regulating authorities, local bodies, the public, and other stakeholders an assessment of the social, economic and physical impacts which may result from the development and generation of 72 MW net of electricity from the project’s geothermal resource.
These documents are provided in the original Spanish. For further information please contact us at info@ram-power.com and reference “SJT Environmental Documentation” in your message.
Environmental Impact Document (PDF: Spanish)