Exploration permit granted for Barranquero geothermal site in Colombia
The Government of Colombia has granted the geothermal exploration permit for the El Barranquero site as the country resolves to diversify its energy matrix.
The Government of Colombia, through the Ministry of Mines and Energy, has granted the geothermal exploration permit for the area known as El Barranquero, located between the municipalities of Samaná (Caldas) and Nariño (Antioquia).
The five-year permit will allow for the development of a comprehensive exploration program, construction of a reservoir model, drilling of a deep exploration well, and evaluation of the potential of the geothermal field. The Government expects an investment of COP 38.5 billion (approx. USD 11.8 million) to go towards the project. The permit also incorporates obligations for the responsible development of the geothermal resource. Concrete actions involve engagement with communities and implementation of mechanisms to ensure coexistence with other projects in the mining and energy sector.
Surprisingly, the official press releases from the both the Ministry and the President’s Office makes no mention of the entity to which the permit was granted to. ThinkGeoEnergy will report on this information as it becomes available.
The El Barranquero site is part of the San Diego geothermal area, which had previously been evaluated by the Colombian Geological Service to have an estimated geothermal potential of 133.79 MW.
This represents the third major geothermal exploration initiative in Colombia announced within the last year. In July 2025, Ecopetrol was granted the geothermal exploration permit for the Azufral001 site in Nariño. A few months ago, the environmental viability of geothermal exploration in the Nereidas site in Caldas was approved.
Source: Ministry of Mines and Energy
