Transmark issued 2 geothermal exploration licenses in Chile
Transmark exploration expedition, O'Higgins, Chile (source: Transmark)
Alexander Richter
21 Jan 2025
The Chilean Ministry of Energy has issued two exploration licenses to Transmark Chile in the province of Colchagua, adding another (yet exploitation concession) held by the company in the country.
On January 3, 2025, the Chilean Ministry of Energy has issued two geothermal exploration licenses to Transmark Chile SpA (Chilean subsidiary of Dutch renewable energy company Transmark).
The concessions are located in the Andean region, an area recognized for its geothermal potential due to Chile’s position along the tectonically active Pacific Ring of Fire.
The addition of these two concessions builds on the country’s existing geothermal framework, which already includes eight exploitation concessions. These concession are three concessions held by Geotermica del Norte in the province of El Loa in Antofagasta, two concessions held by Compania de Energia Limitada Enerco and Compania de Energia in Talca-Linares in Del Maule, one concession held by Energia Andina in Chochagua, O’Higgins, one concession held by Copmpania Minera Dona Ines de Collahuasi in Del Tamarugal-El Loa in Tarapaca-Antofagasta, and one concession held by Transmark Chile in Biobio-Malleco, Biobio Araucania.
The concessions issued on January 3, 2025 are:
- Azufres (13,000 hectares), Colchagua province, O’Higgins Region (VI)
- Cordillera (6,000 hectares), Colchagua province, O’Higgins Region (VI)
The issuance of the license is expected to pave the way for detailed studies to verify the geothermal energy capacity of the area. Such projects are vital for exploring the feasibility of sustainable energy production and could contribute to Chile’s broader efforts to decarbonize its energy sector.
Geothermal energy is a key component of Chile’s renewable energy strategy. With its ability to provide reliable, baseload power, it complements intermittent renewable sources like solar and wind. The Ministry of Energy highlights geothermal as an underutilized resource with significant potential to bolster Chile’s decarbonization goals.
So far only one geothermal plant is operating in the country, the Cerro Pabellon geothermal power plant with two units and a combined power generation capacity of 81 MW.
Source: Chilean Congress Decree (Azufres), Decree (Cordillera)
