The Bouillante high enthalpy geothermal field in Guadeloupe, 250-260°C, related to the occurrence of recent active volcanoes, is the only exploited French field of this type. In all the volcanic islands of the French Overseas Departments (Guadeloupe, Martinique, La Reunion), with rapidly increasing populations and consequently a strong growth of electricity consumption, geothermal energy seems to be a promising solution from both economic and environmental standpoints. The Bouillante field is currently being exploited by Geothermie Bouillante, a subsidiary of BRGM and EDF (Electricité de France). The research efforts carried out by the BRGM group have contributed to increasing the electricity production of the Bouillante power plant from 2 to 6-8% of the annual needs in the Guadeloupe Island, with an installed capacity of 15 MWe gross since 2005. Other developments are expected in the Northern and the Southern parts of Bouillante Bay and should allow a considerable increase of the present electricity production. Re-injection of the residual waters, which are currently discharged into the sea, is also envisaged in order to maintain production rate and pressure within the reservoir.
