1 Portugal Geothermal Country Update 2005

direct use, electricity production. The geology of Portugal determines different conditions for geothermal energy occurrences. In the mainland, where crystalline rocks outcrop over 60 % of the area, thermal waters are related with active faulting. Twenty-seven springs have discharge temperatures between 25ºC and 75ºC and are used in balneotherapy. Three small, low enthalpy operations for direct use at existing hotels are operating normally. A dozen of feasibility studies already carried out demonstrate adequate conditions for further operations. In the sedimentary basins, particularly in the Lisbon area where important heat consumers are located, Lower Cretaceous reservoirs with temperatures up to 50ºC are adequate for small multipurpose geothermal operations, bu