Brazil approves creation of a National Geothermal Energy Program
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (source: Wilfredo Rafael Rodriguez Hernandez, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons)
Carlo Cariaga
1 Oct 2025
Brazil's National Energy Policy Council has approved the National Geothermal Energy Program, seeking to promote exploration and use of geothermal resources.
The National Energy Policy Council (Nacional de Política Energética / CNPE) of Brazil, under the Ministry of Mines and Energy, has approved the creation of the National Geothermal Energy Program (Programa Nacional de Energia Geotérmica / Progeo) which seeks to promote the exploration and use of geothermal energy in Brazil.
The resolution establishes guidelines for developing legal and infra-legal frameworks, encouraging research, development, and innovation (RD&I) projects, and structuring public policies aimed at the sustainable use of the country’s geothermal potential. Progeo also seeks to boost local economies and strengthen the national supply chain of goods and services for the energy sector.
The resolution is expected to be published in the Official Gazette of the Union shortly.
“Brazil has significant geothermal potential in several regions of the country. With this program, we will transform this potential into a concrete opportunity for clean energy generation, promoting regional development, energy security, and the country’s sustainable growth,” said Minister of Mines and Energy Alexandre Silveira, who chairs the CNPE.
This development marks progress in Brazil’s aim of diversifying its national energy mix while also aligning with climate goals and a fair, safe, and inclusive energy transition. Although Brazil already has a 90% renewable energy matrix, the need to ensure energy security, economic resilience, and environmental sustainability makes the development of new, stable, low-carbon sources essential. Geothermal energy fits into this context as a strategic alternative to expand the diversity of the matrix and advance the energy transition.
The initiative will allow the use of R&D&I resources from the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Biofuels (ANP) and the National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL), both linked to the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), to boost the sector, ensuring a technical and scientific basis for regulatory and business decisions.
With the approval of the resolution, the MME will begin implementing the planned measures, in conjunction with the other bodies involved and the production sector.
There has not been any significant progress for geothermal in Brazil in recent years, although there have been research efforts on the use of geothermal for cooling, as well as a prospect map for geothermal resources. Brazilian state-owned energy company Petrobras has notably partnered with geothermal drilling company GA Drilling to help develop next-generation drilling system. With this new resolution in place, the hope is that the framework provides the incentive both for further research in geothermal and actual development and large-scale investment in the sector,
Source: Ministry of Mines and Energy
