The Cerro Prieto Geothermal Power
Station is the largest geothermal power station in the world,
with an installed capacity of 720 MW, with plans for expansion up to 820 MW by
2012. The facility is located in south Mexicali, Baja California, in Mexico,
and is built in five individual units, namely CP1, CP2, CP3, CP4 and CP5.
Cerro Prieto I
The CP1 powerhouse has a total installed
capacity of 180 MW, generated by four units of 37.5 MW and one unit of 30 MW.
Units 1 and 2 of this powerhouse was commissioned between 1973, followed by 3
and 4 in 1981.
Cerro Prieto II
The CP2 powerhouse has a total installed
capacity of 220 MW, generated by two 110 MW units which were commissioned in
1982.
Cerro Prieto III
The CP3 powerhouse has a total installed
capacity of 220 MW, generated by two identical units as CP2, measuring 110 MW.
This powerhouse was commissioned in 1983, a year after the commissioning of CP2.
Cerro Prieto IV
The CP4 station commenced operations in
July 2000, and consists of four turbines, each with a capacity of 25 MW.
Cerro Prieto V
The CP5 station is the newest powerhouse of
the Cerro Prieto station. It was proposed in July 2009, with the commencement
of constructions in September 2009. CP5 will consist of two 50 MW units,
increasing the total capacity of the Cerro Prieto Geothermal Power Station by
100 MW.