Geothermal Development in Chile

Geothermal exploration in Chile is currently very active and is driven by the need for energy security. Considering the fact that Chile has to depend on imports to meet more than 75% of its energy requirements, the interest of the government to encourage the development of the geothermal resources has been renewed. In this country, there are more than 300 geothermal areas located along the Chilean Andes, associated with Quaternary volcanism, occurs in the extreme north (17°-28°S) and central-southern part (33°-46°S). Preliminary assessment of the geothermal potential of these two volcanic-geothermal zones gives a value in the order of 16,000 MW for at least 50 years from the geothermal fluids with temperatures exceeding 150°C, and located at a depth less than 3,000 m. Due to increasing need of new source of energy in Chile, during the last several years there has been a renewed interest in the development of the geothermal resources following the initiatives of the government. At present, detailed exploration is being carried out by the state-owned oil company (ENAP), as well as private companies. They are conducting geological, geochemical and geophysical surveys and have also drilled 7 exploration holes, in northern and the central-southern part of the country. At least 2 of these holes are likely to be used for development, at the El Tatio geothermal field. In total, about 20 geothermal areas are currently under exploration by several private companies. It is expected that the first 40 MWe geothermal power plants will be installed before 2015 at the El Tatio. Direct use of the geothermal resources are only for recreational and tourist purposes, in spas and swimming pools.