Strengthening Geothermal Knowledge for the Energy Transition: Aura Elena Becerra Suarez, GRÓ GTP alumna
Aura Elena Becerra Suárez is a geological engineer from Colombia. She attended the GRÓ Geothermal Training Programme in 2024 and says the training programme had a big impact on her career. She works at an environmental agency serving the Boyacá region of Colombia where she focuses on the sustainable use of geothermal resources and their role in supporting energy transition in the country.
According to Aura, participating in GRÓ GTP was one of the most significant and transformative experiences of her life, allowing her to strengthen her technical knowledge of geothermal energy through the study of key areas such as geology, geophysics, geochemistry, drilling, and direct uses of geothermal resources.
"Being in Iceland, a world leader in geothermal energy, allowed me to understand how this resource can be successfully developed and how it can support countries undergoing energy transition processes," she states.
Aura says one of the most valuable aspects of the GRÓ GTP programme was the opportunity to learn from highly experienced professors, individuals with truly remarkable profiles and integrity, as well as to interact with professionals from all around the world. She says that the multicultural environment enriched her perspective and reinforced the importance of international collaboration in addressing global energy challenges.
According to her, GRÓ Geothermal Training Programme plays a fundamental role in capacity building in developing countries by providing professionals with the tools needed to implement sustainable energy strategies and contribute to the transformation of national energy systems. “This impact is especially relevant for countries like Colombia, where geothermal energy represents a significant but underutilized opportunity. Despite its geothermal potential, Colombia is still developing in terms of knowledge.” Aura says that the country has already made significant progress in both the regulatory framework and in key projects that the national government now seeks to implement.
After returning to Colombia, Aura focused on applying the knowledge she gained during the Programme while continuing to deepen her expertise and put it into practice. She now hopes to contribute to Colombia's energy transition by supporting the evaluation and sustainable use of geothermal resources, particularly in regions such as Paipa-Iza, which she says, have significant geothermal potential for both direct uses and future electricity generation.
"The Programme not only strengthened my technical skills but also provided me with the tools to contribute to the development of sustainable energy solutions in my country," Aura says. Through her work and future academic plans, she seeks to support initiatives aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, especially those related to affordable and clean energy and climate action.
Aura says her career path reflects how international capacity-building programs like GRÓ GTP empower professionals to drive energy transition and sustainable development processes in their home countries.
“I express my deepest gratitude for this Programme, whose comprehensiveness has been fundamental to my professional development. My goal is to continue this learning and transform this knowledge into concrete actions that contribute to my country's energy transition.”
Aura believes that moving towards cleaner energy is an urgent priority, not only to mitigate environmental impact, but also to promote local innovation and strengthen energy independence in Colombia.
