Argentina German planning bureau enhances practical knowledge on the use of geothermal energy in Argentina

Argentina has near-perfect geological conditions for the production of geothermal energy. It is calculated that deep geothermal systems alone offer a potential of up to 1,600 megawatts, making geothermal energy a very attractive option for Argentina’s energy market, both in economic and in environmental terms. However, that potential has remained largely unused and there are hardly any active district heating or power generating plants in the country. This is due in part to the lack of know-how for geothermal applications and the small number of experts available in the country itself. At present only a few isolated employees are available to state, university or private institutions, who have the capacity to develop, install and maintain geothermal plants. Moreover, the relevant authorities have yet to establish the quality standards for surveying and implementing projects that project developers require as a basis for their work. This is a disadvantage for specialised companies like GTN that seek to develop such projects on the ground, as the local pool of qualified professionals in their area of business is extremely limited. In order, nevertheless, to achieve success in the Argentinian market, the company has joined forces with GIZ to invest in training for geothermal energy experts. The project partners have created a network of local knowledge holders, public authorities and implementation partners working in geology and in the energy sector. Practical knowledge will be embedded across the country, making it easier for GTN to develop geothermal projects over the long term.

With a total budget of around EUR 380,000, the project’s measures between 2019 and 2022 included:

• creating a network of industrial, research and political representatives, the Argentinian geological service SEGEMAR, and the technical university Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires (ITBA)
• identifying three locations for the development of geothermal energy projects
• targeted communications work in the form of workshops, publications and materials for university courses

GTN contributed its technical expertise on the use of geothermal energy, while supporting the coordination of local partners as well as the technical analysis of energy sales. GIZ provided advice with experts on the ground, supported project monitoring and established contact with ministries, universities, investors and other actors.

The project partners started to build the network in 2019 and managed to achieve this essential project objective before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic with its stringent restrictions. Despite the unusual circumstances, the parties involved were able to offer webinars on geothermal energy and related topics. Besides the communications work, the partners also identified pilot locations and conducted the first training sessions at the end of 2022, which met with considerable interest. The following results were achieved during the project term:

• Exploration strategies and feasibility analyses were developed at the three pilot locations.
• MoUs were signed with public authorities, ministries, universities and other actors, on implementation and approval of geothermal projects.
• In all, six lectures, workshops and seminars on geothermal energy were held at universities and two events conducted with non-university organisations, involving 314 participants altogether.
• Agreement reached with ITBA and the Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA) on preparing presentations on geothermal energy for lecturers