The state company **Ecopetrol** has formally started a project that bets on **geothermal energy** in the department of **Nariño**, in southern Colombia. The objective is to assess a potential capacity of **80 megawatts** of generation from the natural heat from the subsurface.
The development is located in the **Azufral** area, which includes the municipalities of **Guachucal, Mallama, Santacruz, Sapuyes, and Túquerres**, and could supply up to **610 GWh annually**, equivalent to the electricity consumption of **all users in the department**.
“This project represents a significant step towards the diversification of our energy matrix and the sustainable development of our operations,” stated Ecopetrol’s president, **Ricardo Roa**, during the official announcement.
## Geothermal Energy, Climate Urgency, and Energy Policy
The event was attended by the Colombian president **Gustavo Petro**, who highlighted the importance of **clean sources** in the face of the global climate crisis. In his statements:
– He reaffirmed that **geothermal energy** allows the **vaporization of water to move turbines**
– Emphasized that **clean energies are ten times cheaper** than fossil fuels
– Warned about an **”era of extinction”** that requires **urgent actions**
“In ten years, it will be too late. We must act quickly. Every delay is deadly,” Petro warned.
Colombia bets on geothermal energy in the Azufral area.
## Renewable Expansion and Energy Agenda
Roa explained that Ecopetrol has integrated **1,300 MW** of renewable power into its energy matrix in two years and announced that **3.3 GW** will be installed before the current government’s term ends in August 2026.
Furthermore, the company is advancing in:
– The construction of the **largest green hydrogen plant in Latin America**, announced in December and scheduled to open in 2026
– This plant will produce **800 tons of hydrogen annually**, powered by solar energy from the **Cartagena Refinery**, contributing **22 MW of capacity**
– It is expected to reduce **7,700 tons of CO₂ equivalent per year**, equivalent to the emissions of **1,650 vehicles**
“Mr. President, we are decarbonizing the economy, and we are committed to the energy transition that you have brought to the attention of the entire country,” expressed Roa.
## Colombia: a Key Scenario for Renewables
The geothermal initiative adds to a national strategy that seeks to **position Colombia as a regional benchmark in clean energy**, reinforcing the role of Ecopetrol in **industrial decarbonization** and **diversification of the energy matrix** through solar, wind, hydrogen, and now geothermal projects.
