Opening New Frontiers for Geothermal Generation in Colombia, Peru and Ecuador: Resource, Regulation & Capacity Building

Abstract

Latin America has an enormous potential for geothermal generation along its Andean Cordillera, but this remains largely untapped and can be seen as the largest global geothermal frontier. At present Chile is leading the way with the Apacheta (Cerro Pabellón) project under development (48 MWe to be commissioned in 2017). Other Andean countries like Peru, Colombia and Ecuador could follow soon.
In 2012 and 2014/15 IRENA and the Geothermal Institute assessed the geothermal potential, regulation and human capacity in 5 Andean countries with the objective of supporting their geothermal development. Much of this information remains unpublished. Other country studies were done in the context of the geothermal Master of Energy program at the University of Auckland. This study combines such information.
The paper will discuss Peru, Colombia & Ecuador on:
- Geothermal resource potential & progress;
- Regulation (resource access, electricity market & renewables support, environmental regulation);
- Human Capacity Building;