BOISE, IDAHO -- (Marketwire) -- 02/02/12 -- U.S. Geothermal Inc. (TSX: GTH)(NYSE Amex: HTM), a leading renewable energy company focused on the development, production and sale of electricity from geothermal energy, announced that power plant commissioning at the new 8.6 net megawatt San Emidio power plant, which follows the mechanical completion announced in December, is proceeding.
Charging of the R134a motive fluid into the power plant has been completed, and is undergoing integration testing. In preparation for starting the turbine, it was discovered that two large capacitors in the 2500 horsepower variable frequency drive which controls the motive fluid pump were found to be defective, and must be replaced prior to plant startup. The motive fluid pump, which circulates the R134a through the vaporizers and condensers, is a primary component in the binary cycle system.
Our EPC contractor has located replacement capacitors and expects to resume commissioning the turbine within the next 7 days. Once the turbine is commissioned, the plant will undergo performance and capacity testing prior to achieving commercial operation.
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About U.S. Geothermal Inc.:
U.S. Geothermal Inc. is a leading renewable energy development company that is operating geothermal power projects at Raft River, Idaho and San Emidio, Nevada. The Neal Hot Springs project, which is currently under construction, will be the company's third operating power project. The company holds geothermal energy rights to 69,500 acres comprising six advanced stage geothermal development projects. The San Emidio project is currently undergoing construction of a new 8.6 net MW binary cycle power plant.
The information provided in this news release may contain forward-looking statements within the definition of the Safe Harbor provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on U.S. Geothermal Inc.'s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that can cause actual results to differ materially from those described, including but not limited to, the results from the exploration, production and injection well drilling at San Emidio. Readers are cautioned to review the risk factors identified by the company in its filings with Canadian and US securities agencies. Forward-looking statements are based on management's expectations, beliefs and opinions on the date the statements are made. U.S. Geothermal Inc. assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if management's expectations, beliefs, or opinions, or other factors, should change.
The NYSE Amex and the TSX do not accept responsibility for the adequacy of this release.
Contacts:
U.S. Geothermal Inc.
Saf Dhillon
Investor Relations
866-687-7059
208-424-1030 (FAX)
saf@usgeothermal.com
www.usgeothermal.com
