Environmental impact of geothermal development in the Goryachy Plyazh area, Kunashir Island, Russia

Abstract

The Goryachy Plyazh high-temperature area is located on Kunashir, one of the Kuril Islands, Far East Russia. Geothermal development of this territory started in 1993 when the Goryachy Plyazh geothermal power plant was constructed at the site of Mendeleeva volcano, 20 km from Japan. In 1997, a project for utilizing hot water for space heating was carried out, adding to the power plant. There is a large economical benefit from the exploitation of geothermal energy for people living in the southern part of Kunashir Island. The geothermal heating and power plant is very close to this area and the people are directly affected by exploitation at Goryachy Plyazh. The geothermal development has had some negative effects on the environment. The most significant are visual effects, and effects on recreation, such as surface disturbances of natural thermal springs, and negative effects on vegetation and wildlife due to land use.