Dewhurst Group wins geothermal exploration permit for Colombia project

Dewhurst Group says its Cóndor Paipa geothermal project has received a geothermal exploration permit in Colombia, clearing a key regulatory hurdle after years of technical and environmental review. The company says the permit could help position Paipa as a future source of reliable baseload power and broader local economic activity.

Why it matters: - The permit moves the Cóndor Paipa Geothermal Project closer to commercial development in a country seeking more diversified energy sources. - Geothermal power can supply continuous, weather-independent baseload electricity. - The project could complement Colombia’s hydroelectric and solar generation and help strengthen grid resilience during droughts and seasonal swings. - The development could also support local jobs, infrastructure use and new economic activity in Paipa and Boyacá.

What happened: - Dewhurst Group announced that its Cóndor Paipa Geothermal Project received a geothermal exploration permit in Colombia. - The permit was granted under resolution 40122 on Feb. 13, 2026, and took effect April 6, 2026. - The permit followed registration in Colombia’s National Geothermal Registry. - The milestone followed a process that began in 2023 and included more than two years of technical review, environmental documentation and coordination with Colombia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy.

The details: - The Cóndor Paipa Project is located in Paipa, Boyacá, Colombia. - The project sits in one of the areas with the greatest geothermal potential in Colombia. - Colombia’s Servicio Geológico Colombiano has studied the area for more than 30 years. - Those studies produced subsurface data that helped build the technical foundation for exploration. - Existing studies suggest the resource is relatively close to the surface, which could allow for shallower and more cost-efficient wells. - Existing studies also point to temperatures capable of supporting commercial power generation. - The site is near the Termopaipa energy complex. - The nearby complex provides road access, transmission infrastructure and an experienced local workforce. - Dewhurst Group says the project uses a cascading-use model that seeks to extend geothermal value beyond electricity. - The model targets agribusiness, tourism, hospitality, scientific research and academic training. - The project is moving through its exploration phase. - The project operates from offices in Bogotá and Paipa.

Between the lines: - The permit is more than a procedural step; it is the first major regulatory opening for a project the company frames as a commercial-scale geothermal effort. - Marck Vargas, Colombia operations manager at Dewhurst Group, said the approval reflects years of work, trust-building and environmental responsibility. - The company is trying to position geothermal as a long-term local resource, not just a power project. - The emphasis on community engagement and direct-use applications suggests a broader development strategy aimed at territorial value, not only electricity sales.

What's next: - Dewhurst Group will continue exploration work as the project advances toward potential geothermal power generation. - The company says it will keep sharing information and maintaining dialogue with communities, local institutions and other stakeholders in Paipa. - Further technical and regulatory steps will determine whether the project moves toward drilling and later-stage development. - If successful, the project could help set a template for future geothermal development in Colombia.

The bottom line: - Colombia’s first commercial-scale geothermal exploration permit for Cóndor Paipa gives Dewhurst Group a meaningful foothold in a resource-rich region and opens the door to a potential new source of clean, steady power.