Project Description (page last updated August 17, 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 late 2011, respectively.
Project Highlights
- 10MW operating geothermal project, expanding to 46MW by Q1 2011 and to 72MW by Q4 2011.
- 25 year PPA with Disnorte-Dissur for up to 72MW
- US$92/MWh All 72MW beyond 2013
- 36 MW expansion by Q2 2011
- Addition of 36 MW flash turbine
- 36MW expansion to 72 MW by Q4 2011
- Addition of second 36 MW flash turbine
- Decommissioning 10MW 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
- August 2010 - Construction of Phase I and Phase II expansion remains on-time and is progressing as scheduled
- 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)