Mapping the Underground: How San Juan, Argentina, Is Building a Complete Renewable Energy Atlas
By : Robert Buluma
While the world has been understandably captivated by the rapid rise of solar and wind energy, the province of San Juan—long known for its intense sunshine and favorable wind corridors—has just taken a decisive step toward completing the renewable energy trifecta. In early June 2026, the provincial government, through its energy company EPSE, signed a landmark agreement with the National University of San Juan (UNSJ) to develop the province's first-ever geothermal map.
This is not merely an academic exercise. It is a strategic move to consolidate San Juan's position as Argentina's most comprehensively mapped renewable energy hub. Having already charted its solar and wind resources, the province is now peering into the deep earth to unlock the third pillar of the green transition: baseload, weather-independent geothermal energy.
Here is an in-depth look at why this "Geothermal Map of San Juan" matters, not just for the province, but for the entire concept of decentralized, resilient energy planning across South America.
Part 1: Why Geothermal? Understanding the "Always-On" Energy Source
To grasp the significance of the map, one must first understand the unique physics of geothermal energy. Unlike solar panels that fall silent at dusk or wind farms that stall in still weather, the heat inside the Earth never stops.
Geothermal energy exploits the natural temperature gradient of the planet. As you drill deeper into the crust, temperatures rise. In some regions—specifically those with volcanic history or thin crust—this heat is much closer to the surface, making exploitation economically viable. In San Juan, the potential is particularly exciting due to the region's complex tectonic setting along the Andes mountain range.
Researchers categorize geothermal resources by their heat level, or enthalpy. High enthalpy resources, ranging from 150 to 400 degrees Celsius2, are typically found in active volcanic zones. These temperatures can produce steam powerful enough to spin turbines and generate electricity for the grid. Medium enthalpy resources, between 70 and 150 degrees Celsius, are ideal for electricity generation via binary cycle plants, as well as industrial drying and heavy heating processes. Low enthalpy resources, ranging from 60 to 80 degrees Celsius, are the workhorses of direct use. This temperature range is perfect for district heating, greenhouse agriculture, building climatization, and even fish farming.
Up until now, much of the global focus has been on the high-enthalpy "home runs"—the big geothermal power plants that feed national grids. However, the San Juan project is notable because it aims to identify all of these resources, from low to high. Why? Because you don't always need a power plant to change a community's life. Sometimes, you just need to heat a hospital, a school, or a public swimming pool. Low-enthalpy resources can do that, and they can do it without the massive capital investment required for electricity generation.
Part 2: Completing the Renewable Puzzle
The signing ceremony on June 4, 2026, brought together three key figures who represent the public-private-academic alliance necessary for modern energy planning. The agreement was signed by the president of EPSE, the rector of the National University of San Juan, and the dean of the Faculty of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences.
For San Juan, this moment represents the culmination of a long-term vision. Years ago, the province developed its solar and wind maps. Those documents were not just theoretical exercises. They provided the foundational data that allowed private investors to confidently build solar farms and wind parks across the province. Those maps turned San Juan into a renewable energy destination.
Now, the geothermal map will complete the picture. The president of EPSE framed the initiative as a direct mandate from the provincial governor to work "strongly on the development of renewable energies." He described geothermal as the final piece that completes the province's "renewable map." This language is significant because it signals that San Juan views its energy future as a diversified portfolio, not a single technology bet.
The solar map showed where the sun shines brightest and longest. The wind map showed where the mountain passes channel consistent breezes. The geothermal map will show where the Earth's internal heat is closest to the surface. Together, these three maps give San Juan something that few jurisdictions in South America possess: a complete, data-driven understanding of their entire renewable resource base.
Part 3: Local Knowledge, Local Execution
One of the most strategically important aspects of this initiative is that it will not be outsourced to a foreign consultant or a multinational firm. Unlike previous energy studies that sometimes brought in outside expertise, this geothermal map will be executed entirely by local talent. The project will be carried out by the Center of Geothermal Studies at the National University of San Juan.
This is a deliberate choice with long-term implications. By keeping the work within the province, San Juan is not just buying a product—it is building a capability. Geologists, geophysicists, and hydrogeologists from the university will conduct the fieldwork, analyze the data, and produce the final map. In doing so, they will develop technical expertise that remains in San Juan permanently.
When the two-year project concludes, the province will have not only a geothermal map but also a cohort of trained scientists who understand their local geology intimately. These are the people who will advise future investors, troubleshoot drilling problems, and train the next generation of geothermal professionals. This is capacity building in the truest sense of the term. The approach ensures that the knowledge generated by the project does not leave with a departing consultant—it stays rooted in the local soil.
Part 4: The Science of Looking Underground
So, how does one actually create a geothermal map? It is not as simple as taking surface temperatures or looking at hot springs. The process requires a sophisticated suite of geological and geophysical techniques.
The research team will install specialized monitoring equipment at various points across the province. This equipment will measure subsurface temperatures at different depths, capturing data on how quickly temperatures rise as one descends into the earth—a measurement known as the geothermal gradient. They will also analyze the thermal conductivity of different rock types, since some rocks transmit heat more efficiently than others.
The project will also involve geological mapping to identify faults, fractures, and volcanic features. In geothermal systems, heat often travels upward along fault lines, so understanding the structural geology of the province is essential. The researchers will likely employ geochemical sampling of existing hot springs and thermal wells to understand the composition and origin of underground fluids.
All of this data feeds into a geographic information system—a digital mapping platform that integrates multiple layers of information. The final product will be a color-coded map of San Juan showing areas of low, medium, and high geothermal potential. For each identified zone, the map will indicate the likely temperature range and the most appropriate applications. An area with low enthalpy might be flagged for greenhouse heating. A zone with high enthalpy might be marked for future electricity generation.
This level of detail is exactly what investors need. No one wants to drill a million-dollar well based on guesswork. A credible geothermal map reduces exploration risk, which is the single biggest barrier to geothermal development worldwide.
Part 5: What the Map Will Enable
Once the map is complete, it will open doors to a range of applications that are currently not being considered in San Juan. Let us look at the most promising ones.
District Heating for Cities and Towns. This is the most underappreciated geothermal application globally. In Iceland, virtually every city is heated by geothermal water piped directly into homes. In San Juan, winter temperatures can drop below freezing in the mountainous regions. A district heating system powered by low-enthalpy geothermal wells could eliminate the need for imported natural gas or diesel for heating.
Agricultural Greenhouses. San Juan is already an agricultural province, known for its olives, grapes, and vegetables. Geothermal heating could allow farmers to extend growing seasons, protect crops from unexpected frosts, and even grow warm-climate crops like tomatoes and peppers year-round. The province currently enjoys abundant sunshine, but heat at night or during winter cloud cover is a different matter. Geothermal provides that missing thermal input.
Industrial Drying. The province's fruit and nut industries require energy for drying. Winemaking requires temperature-controlled fermentation. These processes are currently powered by fossil fuels or electricity. Geothermal heat could replace those inputs, reducing operating costs and lowering the carbon footprint of San Juan's agricultural exports.
Public Amenities. Many towns in San Juan have public swimming pools that are used seasonally or are heated with expensive gas. A geothermal well could heat a pool year-round at a fraction of the operating cost. Similarly, public buildings, hospitals, and schools could be connected to geothermal district heating networks, reducing public sector energy bills permanently.
Electricity Generation. In the highest-potential zones, if the map identifies sufficiently high temperatures, small-scale geothermal power plants could feed electricity into the grid. Unlike solar or wind, which require backup power when the sun sets or the wind stops, a geothermal plant runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It provides the "baseload" reliability that grid operators crave.
Part 6: A Policy of State, Not Just Government
One of the phrases that emerged from the signing ceremony deserves particular attention. The president of EPSE noted that in San Juan, renewable energy development is "a policy of state."
This distinction between a "government policy" and a "state policy" is crucial in Latin American political contexts. Government policies can change with every election cycle. A new administration can scrap a previous administration's energy strategy, leaving investors uncertain and projects abandoned. A state policy, by contrast, implies a long-term commitment that transcends political parties and electoral cycles.
By framing geothermal mapping as a state policy, San Juan is sending a signal to domestic and international investors: this is not a passing enthusiasm. The province is systematically building out its renewable energy data infrastructure regardless of who holds the governor's office. This stability is valuable currency in the world of energy finance, where projects often take five to ten years from conception to operation.
The solar and wind maps were completed years ago. They have already proven their worth by attracting investment. The geothermal map, which will take two years to complete by the university's researchers, is the logical next step. It represents the same patient, methodical approach applied to a new resource.
Part 7: The Broader Argentine Context
While San Juan is moving forward aggressively, it is worth placing this initiative within the larger energy picture of Argentina. The country has historically relied heavily on natural gas for heating and electricity generation. Gas imports, particularly in winter, have strained the national trade balance and left the country vulnerable to international price shocks.
Argentina has excellent renewable resources. Patagonia has world-class wind. The northwest has some of the highest solar irradiation on the planet. And the Andean cordillera, running the entire length of the country, has significant geothermal potential that remains largely unexplored.
San Juan is positioning itself as the proving ground for a geothermal future. If the mapping project identifies viable resources, and if those resources lead to actual district heating systems or power plants, other Argentine provinces with similar Andean geology will take notice. Mendoza, La Rioja, Catamarca, Salta, and Jujuy all sit along the same mountain chain. They all have thermal springs and volcanic features. They all could benefit from a similar approach.
By doing the hard work first—the geological mapping, the temperature monitoring, the capacity building—San Juan is creating a replicable model. Other provinces can observe, learn, and potentially partner with San Juan's university researchers to conduct their own mapping.
Part 8: Challenges Ahead
No honest assessment of the project would ignore the challenges. Two years is a substantial timeline, but geothermal exploration is never easy. The Andes are rugged terrain. Accessing remote drilling sites requires roads, permits, and logistical coordination. The equipment for measuring subsurface temperatures is sensitive and must be maintained over long periods.
There is also the risk that the map will reveal less potential than hoped. Not every region with thermal springs has a commercially viable geothermal resource. The map might show that the highest temperatures are too deep for current drilling technology or too scattered to support a centralized district heating network. That outcome would be disappointing, but it would still be useful knowledge. Knowing where not to drill is almost as valuable as knowing where to drill.
Finally, there is the question of financing. A map is necessary but not sufficient. If the map identifies a promising geothermal zone, someone must pay for the drilling. Wells cost millions of dollars. Risk mitigation instruments—government guarantees or insurance products—will be needed to attract private capital. The map is the first step on a long road
Part 9: A Blueprint for the Andean Region
Despite the challenges, the San Juan geothermal mapping project represents a model that other jurisdictions would be wise to study. It combines three essential ingredients that are often missing from energy planning in the developing world.
First, comprehensiveness. San Juan is not picking favorites among renewable technologies. It is mapping solar, wind, and geothermal within a single integrated framework. This allows planners to ask the right question: not "which technology is best?" but "which combination of technologies best meets our specific needs?"
Second, local ownership. By placing the project in the hands of the provincial university, San Juan ensures that the knowledge and skills remain in the province. This is a stark contrast to projects that import expertise, write a report, and leave behind no lasting capacity.
Third, strategic patience. The solar and wind maps took years to complete. The geothermal map will take two more years. This is not the frenetic pace of a political cycle focused on ribbon cuttings. It is the methodical rhythm of infrastructure planning.
The president of EPSE framed the project as fulfilling a mandate from the governor: to work strongly on renewable energy development. But he also framed it as a task that "begins today" for "the next generations." That long-term perspective is precisely what geothermal energy demands.
Conclusion: Heat Below, Hope Above
The search for clean, reliable energy often directs our gaze upward. We look to the sun for solar power. We look to the horizon for wind. We look to the stars for fusion. But sometimes, the answer is not above us. It is below our feet.
San Juan, Argentina, is looking down. With its new geothermal mapping project, the province is taking a methodical, science-driven approach to understanding the heat beneath its soil. The project will be executed over two years by local geologists and geophysicists from the National University. The resulting map will complete a renewable energy trifecta that already includes solar and wind.
The map will not produce a single megawatt of energy by itself. It is a tool, not a power plant. But it is a necessary tool. Without it, investors fly blind. With it, they can drill with confidence. And confidence is the currency of the energy transition.
San Juan has already proven that solar and wind can work. Now, the province is asking the next question: what else is down there? The answer, when it arrives in two years, could change not just San Juan's energy mix, but the energy future of the entire Andean region. The heat is below. The hope is above. And for the first time, the map is being drawn.
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