Juan Camilo Mejía-Fragoso , Cristina Dapeña

Through literature review and information processing, the current state of geothermal energy in Colombia, its limitations, possible future uses, environmental impact and the current legal framework were described and analyzed. Approximations were made regarding the sustainability of geothermal energy in the country and its implications. Some of the projects, studies, and research that have been carried out were considered, including the Nevado del Ruiz volcano, located on the border between the departments of Caldas and Tolima; the Tufiño-Chiles-Cerro volcanic system, located on the border between Colombia and Ecuador; the Azufral volcano geothermal area, located in the department of Nariño; and the Paipa geothermal area, located in the Department of Boyacá. For each geothermal area, geological, geochemical, geophysical, and hydrothermal alteration aspects were discussed, analyzing their characteristics and energy generation potential. The Nevado del Ruiz volcano and its surroundings have several geothermal regions whose reservoir temperatures are above 235 °C and an approximate potential of 206.46 MWe, for the Azufral volcano temperatures are estimated at 250 °C (with a high degree of uncertainty) and a potential of 81.9 MWe, for the Paipa geothermal area around 230 °C and 21.50 MWe, and Tufiño - Chiles - Cerro Negro (Colombian area) a temperature of over 200 °C and a potential of 23.77 MWe. It is important to note that these estimates are approximate and based on data collected by the Colombian Geological Survey and studies conducted by various authors over time. Thus, they have a 90% confidence interval with a fairly considerable range and a margin of error that must be reduced. For the next few years, a considerable increase in geothermal installed capacity in the world, and consequently, in the generation and supply of electricity is predicted. Colombia estimates a preliminary capacity of 1170 MWe, framed within the national energy ideology and subject to more detailed and rigorous studies for the future to consolidate geothermal projects and reduce technological and financial uncertainty.