15 Biggest Geothermal Power Plant in the World

Multiple types of power plants generate electricity for the world. The Geothermal power station is one of them. These power plants do not depend on sun fluctuations. Rather, it is a very continuous process of production of electricity. Different countries generate geothermal power from their plants worldwide to meet their electrical load demand. So, what are the biggest geothermal power plants in the world?

The Larderollo Geothermal Complex, The Makban Geothermal Complex, The Hellisheidi Geothermal Complex, The Cerro Prieto Geothermal Power Station, The Geysar’s Geothermal Power Station, etc.

However, towards the end of this article, you will learn all the details of these geothermal power plants, their efficiency, benefits, and many more. Please stay tuned to the end to find out more. 

What Is Geothermal Energy? 

Geothermal Energy comes from the depth of the earth. It is the earth’s thermal energy. This energy produces electricity through the steam. Let’s learn an example of a geothermal plant with definitions: 

• Geothermal energy is a stable energy. It can produce electricity all the time. Geothermal energy continuously provides electricity without any abruption. It will generate the current 24 x 7
• A geothermal plant gets energy from heat through the well. The heat comes from the depth of the surface. Geothermal energy uses steam to provide electricity. The steam is found under the earth’s surface. It is a few miles beneath the surface
• The hot water/Steam rotates a turbine to turn on the generator. Thus, the generator produces electricity. Thermal energy is used for heating, generating, and cooling electricity

What Is Geothermal Power Source?

The Geothermal Power Source is Earth’s Thermal Energy. The “Geo” refers to the earth. The “Thermal” refers to the heat. Geothermal Energy is the heat energy of the earth. Geothermal energy does not depend on weather conditions. The heat is continuously produced under the earth. 

It is a renewable power energy source. In this system, water is kept in high pressure through a boiler which increases the temperature of the water. Then the steam is sent to the turbine. The turbine generates electricity. However, the water is highly pressured to create power-efficient electricity. 

The steam makes it easier to convert the thermal energy into mechanical energy. The heat energy of the earth continuously generates electricity. It does not rely on external factors like the sun or wind. This is how the heat, power source of geothermal energy is used to generate electricity.

15 Biggest Geothermal Power Plant In The World

Many countries around the world use geothermal power plants. They use it because the energy can be used to produce electricity at a low cost. Also, it is a renewable energy source. So, it is worth it. Here is a list of the world’s geothermal plants. Please check out below-

1. The Geysar’s Geothermal Power Plant

The Geysar’s Geothermal Power station is located in California. It is the biggest geothermal power plant in the world. The Magma Power Company and Thermal Power Company made this project successful. Calpine owns the power plant. Also, there are a total of 22 plants in the Geyser. Two of the plants are owned by other companies. 

The US Renewable Group owns one plant. The other plant is owned by the Northern California Power Agency. Also, there is a new plant constructed in Geysar named Ram Powers. 

The power plant has a generation capacity of 725 MW. It is surrounded by an area of 117 Kilometres. Also, it has an installed capacity of 1570 MW. The total capacity is around 2295 MW. The power plant is sufficient to provide electricity to 9 lakh families. 

There are more than 350 wells in this power plant. The deepest well is under 12,900 feet. The average well depth is 8500 feet. It is the largest geothermal power plant in the U.S. The geothermal station generates sufficient energy to provide enough electricity to the country. 

Power Plant Specifications

• Project name: The Geysars
• Technology type: Dry steam power plant 
• Plant total capacity: 2295 MW 
• Current status: Active 
• Power plant location: California, U.S 
• Completion date: 1921

2. Larderello Geothermal Complex, Italy 

The Larderello Geothermal Complex is located in Tuscany, Italy. It is another biggest geothermal power plants in the world. Also, it is a very ancient geothermal energy station built in the 19th century. The Prince Piero Gineri Conti found this geothermal power. 

It was when Prince Piero was working for his father-in-law in the Boric Acid section. So, gradually he found geothermal energy as a source to produce electricity. So, he produced a geothermal generator to generate efficient electricity. It was tested in the year 1904.

Now, the Geothermal power station has around 800 MW power capacity. It is surrounded by the total area of 250 km2. There are a total of 34 plants together. It is operated by the Italian Company Enel Green Power ( EGP).  Also, there are 37 generating units. 

The power plant can produce sufficient power for almost 2 million families. Also, the power plant was able to produce electricity for 25 hectares of greenhouses. The power plant is indeed the first geothermal power plant produced in Italy. 

Power Plant Specifications

• Project name: Larderello Geothermal Energy Plant 
• Technology type: Direct contact, Barometric condensers
• Plant total capacity: 800 MW
• Current status: Active 
• Power plant location: Tuscany, Italy
• Starting date: 4 July, 1904 
• Completion date: 1913

3. Cerro Prieto Geothermal Power Station, Mexico

The Cerro Prieto Geothermal Power Station, Mexico is located in Baja California, Mexico. Comision Federal De Electridad owns the project. There are contractors involved in this project. The Toshiba Energy System is a contractor for this power plant. The company is a steam turbine supplier for the plant. 

Also, the geothermal site has 67 wells. The Geothermal Power Plant is surrounded by 18,500 acres. The size of the field is approximately 30 square kilometers. The company is responsible for generating and distributing electricity. 

There are 13 generating units of this thermal power plant. The power plant produces 4.5 Billion Kwh per year. It has a power capacity of 720 MW. The depth of the geothermal reservoir is 1200 meters. However, the project was developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. 

Knowingly, the geothermal power plant generates 653.73 GWh of electricity. The power plant generates 10% of the electricity for the whole country. The geothermal reservoir’s operating temperature is 300-350 degrees Celsius. 

Power Plant Specifications

• Project name: The Cerro Prieto Geothermal Station 
• Technology type: Double Flash Type 
• Plant total capacity: 720 MW 
• Current status: Active 
• Power plant location: California, Mexico 
• Starting date: 1973
• Completion date: 1977

4. Makban Geothermal Complex, Philippines 

Makban Geothermal Complex, Philippines is located in Laguna, Philippines. AP Renewables owns the project. The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is involved in this geothermal power plant project. The AP Renewables Company is a utility company. It provides power generation and retail electricity services. 

The Energy Development Cooperation operates the power plant. Reportedly, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries upgraded the facilities of the Makban Geothermal Complex. The plant was first developed in the year 1970. The geothermal plant generates electricity from the natural steam. 

The Geothermal power plant has a power capacity of 458 MW. This plant has 56 wells on the site. It has 12 generating units. Also, the power plant includes a binary plant. The binary plant has separate power stations. 

The power plant covers an area of 700 hectares. The Power Plant can provide clean and renewable energy. It is one of the most productive geothermal plants in the Philippines. 

Power Plant Specifications

• Project name: Makban Geothermal Power Plant 
• Technology type: Geothermal 
• Plant total capacity: 458 MW 
• Current status: Active 
• Power plant location: Laguna, Philippines 
• Commission date: 1979
• Plant owner: AP Renewables.
• Local address: Palengke, 248 F.T. San Luis Avenue, San Vicente, Bay, Laguna, Philippine.

5. Gunung Salak Geothermal Power Station, Indonesia 

The Gunung Salak Geothermal Plant is located in West Java, Indonesia. The project is developed by Chevron Geothermal Indonesia and PT Pertamina. Chevron Geothermal Indonesia is a power generation company that provides power generation services. 

PT Pertamina is an energy company. The company has operations running in several countries. However, there are contractors involved in this project. The PT Tripatra Engineers and Constructors, Ansaldo Energy Turbine, and Fuji Electric provide construction services and turbines for this project. 

The project has an energy capacity of 375 MW. There is a production of 51 wells in the geothermal site. Also, there are 19 injection wells in this power plant. There are a total of 6 generating units available in this geothermal power plant. 

The project can generate 473.04 GWh of electricity in the country. The plant reduces the fossil fuel generation demand. It can offset 113,000 tons of CO2 every year. 

Power Plant Specifications

• Project name: Gunung Salak Geothermal Plant 
• Technology type: Single flash type 
• Plant total capacity: 375 MW 
• Current status: Active 
• Power plant location: West Java, Indonesia 
• Completion date: 1994 

6. Wayang Windu Geothermal Power Station, Indonesia 

The Wayang Windu Geothermal Plant is located in West Java, Indonesia. The project is owned by Star Energy Geothermal and Electricity generating Public. The Mitsubishi Motos is also an owner. The Electricity generating public is a utility company. 

The company sells electricity. It also generates electricity from various sources such as coal, hydro, solar power plants, etc. However, Sumitomo, Fuji Electric, and Unocal Geothermal are the contractors of this project. However, the Fuji Electric supplied the first turbine to the company. 

The power plant has a generation capacity of 347 MW. Also, it has three generating units. The power plant is surrounded by an area of 12,l960 hectares. The steam is produced at the temperature of 300 degrees Celsius. Also, there is no news of containing CO2 or pollutant gasses. 

The first turbine of this company was the largest single-cylinder machine in the country. Also, the power plant provides clean and abundant sustainable energy to the country. The power plant can produce a good portion of the electricity in the country. 

Power Plant Specifications

• Project name: Wayang Windu Geothermal Plant 
• Technology type: Flash steam type 
• Plant total capacity: 347 MW 
• Current status: Partially active 
• Power plant location: West Java, Indonesia 
• Completion date: 2020

7. Hellisheidi Geothermal Power Plant, Iceland

The Hellisheidi Geo Power Plant, Iceland is located in Hengill, Iceland. The owner of the Geothermal plant is Orkuveita, Reykjavik. The plant was developed in 2002. There were contractors involved in this project. Manvit Engineering completed the design of this power plant. 

The Verkis Engineering was awarded for the hot water pipeline for this project. Also, the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries was part of the project. They have provided facilities for the Hellisheidi Power Plant. The company provided six 45 MW high-pressure steam turbines. 

The Hellisheidi Geothermal Plant has a power capacity of 303 MW. Also, the power plant supplies 8% of electricity to the country. The power plant has 133 MW of thermal energy. However, the power plant is also used for research and development of thermal energy. 

The power plant is developed surrounding an area of 13,000 m2. The power plant has 6 generating units. The depth of the well is around 2200 m. The power plant is the eighth-largest geothermal power plant in the world. 

Power Plant Specifications

• Project name: Heillisheidi Geothermal Plant 
• Technology type: Flash steam 
• Plant total capacity: 303 MW 
• Current status: Active 
• Power plant location: Hengill, Iceland 
• Starting date: 2005
• Completion date: 2006 

8. Tiwi Geothermal Power Station

The Tiwi Geothermal Power Station is located in Albay, Philippines. The project is developed by AP Renewables. The company provides power generation and distribution services. It is a utility company.  Some contractors are involved in this project. 

Toshiba Energy System and Solutions Turbine was a contractor for this project. They provided turbines with a 55 MW power capacity. However, the power plant has several wells which are produced by reservoirs. 

The project has a power capacity of 287 MW. There are a total of 4 units of this power plant. The initial power capacity of this plant was 55 MW. The installed geothermal power generation capacity is 275 MW. 

It is one of the largest geothermal power plants in the world. The geothermal electric plant is sufficient to provide 3M houses with electricity needs. The Tiwi power plant was also the first water-dominated system. This geothermal energy power plant has been successfully providing the country’s electricity needs for 40 years.

Power Plant Specifications

• Project name: Tiwi Geothermal Power Station 
• Technology type: Single Flash Type 
• Plant total capacity: 287 MW
• Current status: Active 
• Power plant location: Albay, Philippines 
• Completion date:  January, 1979 

9. Darajat Geothermal Power Plant Station

The Darajat Geothermal Station is located in West Java, Indonesia. The project is developed by the Chevron Geothermal Indonesia. The company is a power generation company. It has several projects in Indonesia and the Philippines. Some contractors are involved in this project. 

The Kanematsu, PT Thies Contractors, PT Tripatra Engineers, and constructors, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and Fuji Electrics are the contractors of this project. They were selected to provide construction services and turbines for this project. 

The power plant has a generation capacity of 255 MW. It has production of 49 wells on site. Also, the power plant has 3 generating units. It is surrounded by an area of 56,650 hectares. The project reduces greenhouse emissions. Also, the project helps meet the energy needs of the country. 

The geothermal power plant offsets around 705,394T of carbon emissions every year. It also contributes to the sustainable growth of the country. The project is verified by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. 

Power Plant Specifications

• Project name: Darajat Geothermal Power Station
• Technology type: Dry steam type 
• Plant total capacity: 255 MW 
• Current status: Active 
• Power plant location: West Java, Indonesia 
• Completion date: January, 1994 

10. Malitbog Geothermal Power Station, Philippines 

The Malitbog Geothermal Power Plant, Philippines is located in the Eastern Visayas, Philippines. The project is developed by Sumitomo. The Sumitomo Corp works in metal works, transportation, electronic services, and many more. The company is currently owned by Energy Development. 

There are some contractors involved in making this project. The Fuji Electronic System supplied the steam turbine to the company. Moreover, the Energy Development company was a steam-raising contractor for this project. However, the company Fuji provided 3 turbines for this project. 

The project has an energy capacity of 232.5 MW. Moreover, the power plant is capable of providing sufficient energy to 10 million households. The power plant has three generating units. The power plant has direct contact with condensers. The plant uses high-pressure steam. 

However, the Malitbong Power Plant is one of the largest geothermal plants in the Philippines. The plant provides clean and renewable energy to the country. Also, it fulfills almost an essential portion of electricity to the country.

Power Plant Specifications

• Project name: Malitbong Geothermal Power Station 
• Technology type: Binary technology 
• Plant total capacity: 232.5 MW 
• Current status: Active 
• Power plant location: Eastern Visayas, Philippines 
• Starting date: 1993 
• Completion date: 1996

11. Olkaria Geothermal Power Station 

The Olkaria Geothermal Power Station is located in Nakuru, Kenya. The project is developed by Kenya Electricity Generating. The company is an electricity generation utility. The company produces power from various sources such as Hydro, Thermal, and Wind sources. 

Some contractors are involved in this project. H Young & Co. and Mitsubishi were chosen to be the contractors for this project. They will provide construction services and turbines for the power plant. The power plant will be provided with two turbines with 70 MW power capacity.

The power plant has a power capacity of 170 MW. It has a production of 41 wells. The power plant runs at 270 degrees Celsius temperature. Also, it can generate 1214.1 GWH of electricity every year. It has two generating units. 

The project has a target of achieving 280 MW of energy capacity. The project can meet a significant portion of Kenya’s electricity needs. The project provides clean energy and reduces the carbon emissions in the air.

Power Plant Specifications

• Project name: The Olkaria V Geothermal Power Station
• Technology type: Single flash type 
• Plant total capacity: 170 MW 
• Current status: Active 
• Power plant location: Nakuru, Kenya 
• Starting date: 2017
• Completion date: 2019

12. Kamojang Geothermal Power Station, Indonesia  

The Kamojang Geothermal Power Station is located in the West Java, Indonesia. The project is owned by P.T Indonesia Power. The company supplies electricity and operates generating units. They have several contractors involved in this project. 

The Ansaldo Energia, Marubeni, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries are suppliers of this project. The Ansaldo Energia is supposed to provide construction services to the project. The Mitsubishi will provide 3 turbines with different energy capacities for this power plant project. 

This power plant has an energy capacity of 140 MW. The plant has production of 24 number wells on site. Also, the plant produces dry steam-type electricity. The plant has 5 generating units. The power plant is the first producer of green hydrogen geothermal plants. 

Power Plant Specifications

• Project name: Kamojang Geothermal Power Project 
• Technology type: Dry steam type 
• Plant total capacity: 140 MW 
• Current status: Partially active 
• Power plant location: West Java, Indonesia 
• Completion date: 1983

13. Kawerau Geothermal Power Station, New Zealand 

The Kawerau Geothermal Power Plant is in the Bay Of Plenty, New Zealand. Eastland Energy develops the power plant. The company generates and trades electricity. The project has several contractors involved. The Fuji Electric Company and Ormat Technologies are suppliers for this plant.

This plant is the largest single generator in New Zealand. The system is surrounded by an area of 32  km2. The power plant was made for industrial processes and also for electricity generation. It has been more than 20 years since the project has been developed. 

This power plant has a 122.2 MW generation capacity. This power station has 3 generating units. The power plant is capable of providing electricity to around 100,000 homes. The power plant has been expanded and upgraded many times. 

During its creation, the power plant had only 3 MW energy capacity. But it has been upgraded to 100 MW throughout the time. The power plant was the first geothermal plant in the Southern Hemisphere. Many countries have invested in the company and improved its reliability and efficiency. 

Power Plant Specifications

• Project name: Kawerau Geothermal Power Station
• Technology type:  Geothermal 
• Plant total capacity: 122.2 MW 
• Current status: Active 
• Power plant location: Bay Of Plenty, New Zealand 
• Completion date: 2008

14. Reykjanes Geothermal Power Station, Iceland 

The Reykjanes Geothermal Power Plant is located in the Southwest, Iceland. The project is developed by HS Orka Hf and Mannvit Engineering. Mannvit Engineering focuses on consulting services, construction management, geothermal engineering, and many more. 

The Fuji Electric Turbine is a contractor for this project. The company provided two turbines with 50 MW power capacities for this project. There are a total 12 number of walls in the production on-site. The plant uses steam with a temperature of 290 degrees Celcius to 320 Degree Celcius. 

The project generates around 789 GWH of electricity every year. Also, it has a power generation capacity of 100 MW. The Geo power plant can provide 20% of the country’s electricity. The power plant has five generating units. 

The power plant uses a binary cycle power generation process. In this process, the water is pumped to a heat exchanger. As soon as the fluid is heated, it turns to vapor. The vapor drives a turbine to generate electricity. 

Power Plant Specifications

• Project name: Reykjanes Power Station 
• Technology type: Binary generation process
• Plant total capacity: 100 MW 
• Current status: Active 
• Power plant location: Southwest, Iceland 
• Completion date: 2006 

15. Kizildare Geothermal Power Station, Turkey 

The Kizildare Geothermal Power Plant is located in Denizli, Turkey. The project is owned by Zorlu Dogal Elektric Uretimi. The company is an energy company that distributes electricity.  The Fuji Electric Turbine is the contractor for this project. 

The headquarters of this company is in Istambul. The depth of this power plant is 2500-3000 meters. Also, the temperature is set to 280 degrees Celsius to 310 degrees Celsius. The power plant is made using binary technology. 

The Geothermal Plant has a power capacity of 80 MW. It has been developed in multiple phases. In the initial stage, it had only a 5 MW power capacity. In the second phase, the power capacity was expanded to 15 MW. Then gradually it was upgraded to 15 MW. 

The plant generates 400 GWH of electricity every year. The power plant is sufficient enough to meet the electrical needs of the country. It is enough to meet the electricity needs of 200,000 households. 

Power Plant Specifications

• Project name: The Kizildere Geothermal Power Station
• Technology type: Geothermal 
• Plant total capacity: 80 MW
• Current status: Active 
• Power plant location: Denizli, Turkey 
• Completion date: 1984

Where Is The Largest Geothermal Power Plant In The World?

The world’s largest geothermal power plant is in the United States. The name of the geothermal energy plant is “Geysers Geothermal Complex”. The location of this geothermal electric power plant is 121  km2 north of San Fransisco, California. The company is owned by Calpine Corp. 

The owner has 13 other power plants. Two of the 13 plants are owned by three more companies jointly. The US renewables group, California Power Energy Agency, and Silicon Valley are those companies. However, Here is a table with the details of the world’s biggest geothermal power plant. Please check it out below: 

What Country Uses The Most Geothermal Energy? 

The United States uses the most geothermal energy. The country is the world’s largest geothermal power plant producer. The United States has 3794 MW power generation capacity in total. Comparatively, the other countries have less power generation capacity. 

The country Indonesia has the second-highest geothermal power station in the world. It has a generation capacity of 2376 MW in total. Then the Philippines, Turkey, and New Zealand come by order. However, the power generation capacity mentioned here has both installed and operational capacity included.

How Much Is The Efficiency Of a Geothermal Plant? 

Reportedly, the efficiency of a geothermal plant is 10% to 13% on average 12% considered. But it depends on various factors. The geothermal power plant efficiency means how much the power plant can generate electricity from the produced fluid. So, compared to other types of plants, it is relatively lower than other types of plants.

The other types of plants include natural gas, coal, and nuclear power plants. All of these are conventional thermal power plants that have more conversion energy. However, the Geothermal plant can have higher efficiency through high-temperature pressure. Also, it is environmentally friendly. 

Most owners choose this geothermal energy because they have a longer lifespan. Also, it is a stable resource to generate electricity. Apart from all of these, they need low maintenance.  So, they are easily operatable. However, it depends on people’s preferences and needs to select the type of plant. 

Conclusion 

Geothermal stations are advantageous for producing electricity. They are environmentally friendly, reliable, and energy efficient. There is no fuel required to generate the electricity. It has low operating costs. That’s why, many countries find it useful to produce electricity. 

Geothermal energy not only helps in generating current but also supports vividly in economic growth. However,  I have discussed the 15 biggest geothermal power plants in the world in this article. I hope you find it helpful to learn about the electricity production of these countries.