Orlando Velandia Sepúlveda, who leads Colombia’s National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH), recently revealed plans for the country's debut auction of geothermal energy projects, scheduled for the latter half of 2024. Details regarding the exact locations for these projects are still pending, as they are currently under investigation by the Colombian Geological Service.
“We have made a lot of progress and we are seeing what it will be like. This is not a type of offer like with other solar and hydro energies, this has its particularities and we are working. But the challenge that Minister Andrés Camacho left us is that this year, in the second semester, we are launching our first round of geothermal energy,” said Velandia, emphasizing that the agency is working with the Geological Service and have invested a significant amount of its resources in determining the geothermal potential of Colombia.
“It is a challenge that we have to be able to take advantage of our potential, it is an enormous job that the Ministry is leading, obviously with the agencies and the Colombian Geological Service. We are working on all fronts,” said Velandia Sepúlveda.
At present, Colombia has a single operational geothermal power station – a 100-kW unit managed by Parex Resources. Earlier in the year, Parex secured a permit for another geothermal project in Casanare. Additionally, Ecopetrol, the national oil company, is engaging in geothermal energy exploration and has plans to drill two wells in Caldas.
