Route 4 to Sajama, Bolivia

The Colombian National Government announces that it expects to start the first round of bidding for geothermal projects in the country. The call will offer seven areas with high geothermal potential, located in volcanic regions of the Western and Central Cordillera, where the Colombian Geological Service has identified favorable conditions for the use of subsoil heat for both electricity generation and direct uses.

Although it had already been announced in 2024, the president of the National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH) , Orlando Velandia, confirms that the auction will take place in the first half of 2025, with the award scheduled for the second half of 2025.

“Over the last few years we have conducted studies with resources from the ANH and the Colombian Geological Service, in addition to establishing regulations with the Ministry of Mines and Energy. We now have the necessary elements to begin these processes,” Velandia said.

The seven areas to be auctioned in the first round are:

Paipa (Boyacá)

Iza (Boyacá)

Machin Volcano (Tolima)

Azufral Volcano (Nariño)

San Diego (Caldas)

Villamaria (Caldas)

Sibundoy (Putumayo)

The Ministry of Mines and Energy highlights that the participation of two types of investors in the auction is expected: exploration developers and EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) companies, responsible for the construction and operation of the projects.

Geothermal potential in Colombia

The Colombian Geological Service has identified several areas with high geothermal potential in different regions of the country. Geothermal energy in Colombia can be developed both in sedimentary basins and in magmatic areas.

The National Government has established a regulatory framework that will allow the initiation of reconnaissance and prospecting activities, necessary to confirm the viability of geothermal resources. These measures seek to strengthen the technical capacity in the exploration and exploitation of the resource, with a focus on geological studies, drilling and reservoir modeling.

“We have identified the country’s geothermal potential and we have the regulations to begin the first rounds of exploration. We hope that this year geothermal energy will advance significantly in Colombia,” said Andrés Camacho, Minister of Mines and Energy.

With this auction, Colombia seeks to consolidate geothermal energy as a viable energy source within its energy portfolio, promoting its exploration and development based on geological knowledge and available technologies.