The Colombian Association of Electric Energy Distributors (Asocodis), on the eve of the XIX Electric Energy Distribution Conference, shed light on the challenges confronting the country in terms of the energy transition.
Read moreAt the 20th edition of the National Infrastructure Congress, discussions on energy transition took the spotlight, outlining innovative strides in the sector.
Read moreThe alliance between GreenYellow and the Barranquilla Port marked a significant stride toward greener operations.
Read moreThe Enel Group recently announced its global strategy for 2024-2026, focusing on profitability, flexibility, resilience, efficiency, and financial as well as environmental sustainability.
Read moreLa Guajira, Colombia’s preeminent department for renewable potential, is set to embark on a significant initiative at the onset of 2024 with the launch of the Energy Communities program.
Read moreThe future of Colombia's electric grid appears to hinge on a blend of renewable and traditional energy sources, a recent projection by the Mining and Energy Planning Unit (UPME) indicates.
Read moreThe Indigenous community in Colombia's La Guajira region has reservations about the wind energy initiatives, despite the region's enormous potential for wind power.
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Dialogo Canada is an annual forum to exchange ideas between Colombia and Canada about business and related policy issues. Organized by the Colombia-Canada Chamber of Commerce, the 13th edition was held on November 15th in Bogotá. After the introductory speeches, the first panel was on hydrogen (H2), a major topic for MinEnergia and investors, both local and international.
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Economic growth, the Colombian government’s plans for electrification and exporting green hydrogen all require significant increases in generating and transmission capacity. So far, the Roadmap and the National Energy Plan update have only looked at demand and how policy makers want to see it served. In October, the UPME published its annual report on capacity requirements to meet this demand.
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Recently national newspaper El Espectador published a syndicated article about leveraging Just Energy Transition Partners (JETP) to Latin America. JETP offers funding to emerging markets countries to accelerate their energy transition. Would this work for Colombia?
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In July, the Colombian government revealed its energy transition “roadmap”. In late September, the International Energy Agency (IEA), a global energy thinktank, published its “Net Zero Roadmap: A Global Pathway to Keep the 1.5oC Goal in Reach” and then recently published its World Energy Outlook for 2023. The public version of the IEA’s database does not break out Colombia so we cannot do a direct comparison, but we can make some inferences. So what, if anything, can we learn from these about Colombia’s transition roadmap?
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“Water under the bridge” refers to “events that are in the past and consequently no longer to be regarded as important”. But with El Niño already drying up Colombia’s hydroelectric dam reservoirs, energy planners have to worry about keeping back all the water they can.
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Last March, I wrote an article called “We’ll always have Paris” talking about the IPCC’s AR6 Synthesis Report: Climate Change 2023 report which concluded that the world was unlikely to make the COP 21 – aka “Paris” – commitments to limit global warming to 1.5oC above pre-industrial levels by 2100. A recently published chart says we may already have blown it.
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In our recent article about MinEnergia’s roadmap, Greased Lightning, we noted that MinEnergia was not using the UPME’s forecasts, at least for the Transport sector and we asked “if the Ministry is not using the UPME’s numbers, whose are they using?” The Ministry website has an Excel with all the numbers (that we swear wasn’t there before) that allows a detailed comparison and an Appendix (that we must have missed) with an explanation of the different assumptions. At least now we know.
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Even when you are sure of what you are doing, a second opinion always helps. Also, when you need to be public with your actions, you always worry about what others – especially experts – think. So the Colombian government must have nervously awaited the opinions of the International Energy Agency (IEA) about the country’s energy transition plans.
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OK. Not strictly on topic. But we have to have fun every once in a while, and I’m sure your companies have discussed what Artificial Intelligence (AI) means for your operation. I have experimented with some of the more interesting tools, ChatGPT and MidJourney, so thinking you will find this useful. Or amusing. Or both! Or neither. (This article has lots of graphics. It may be better viewed on a laptop or pad and over WiFi.)
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XM, operator of the National Interconnected System (SIN) and administrator of the Wholesale Energy Market (MEM), reported consumption results for March 2023.
Read moreXM, the operator of the National Interconnected System (SIN), reported the number of new projects added to the SIN in the first quarter of the year.
Read moreThe Colombian Association of Engineers (ACIEM) presented comments on the proposed decree that sets policies and guidelines to promote efficiency and competitiveness in the national electricity service.
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I’m in Canada for a few weeks and getting to spend time with Barrie and Laurie, my retired, environmentally conscious friends. I got an update on rooftop solar and we took day-long trip in their electric Hyundai Kona. The shape of things to come for Colombians.
Read moreÓmar Vargas, Managing Director of Siemens Energy for the North Andean Region, spoke about the energy transition and the challenges of this process.
Read moreThe Superintendency of Residential Public Utilities (SuperServicios) has made new senior appointments.
Read moreEPM announced changes in the company's strategic areas and business units, including vice presidencies and subsidiaries.
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Colombian President Gustavo Petro has been doing the rounds of multilateral organizations saying that countries, like his, which steward resources that mitigate climate change (like the Amazon rainforest) should have their debt forgiven. The reception has been tepid at best and we expressed skepticism. Now a study by the French central bank casts further doubt on the concept.
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Colombia is discussing energy prices and reservoir levels. Experts spoke on the matter.
Read moreAcolgen's Natalia Gutiérrez spoke about energy prices and why power generators need signs of confidence from the government to move forward with more efficient technologies.
Read moreThe final draft of the National Development Plan (PND) includes a proposal to give the president extraordinary powers to create a state holding company for the electricity sector.
Read morePresident Gustavo Petro’s declaration that he personally would set utility rates has investors worried. Some industry associations and editorial writers say that investors will leave. However, it may not be as simple as charging off in a huff when the decrees are enacted or laws are passed.
Read moreJaime Pumarejo, mayor of Barranquilla, wants a law in Congress to lower rates in the coast which he claims are “inequitable and illegal.”
Read moreAlthough Colombia has a system of cross-subsidies these are insufficient to cover the shortfall for low-income families and the government of the day must write checks to the electricity distributors. José Camilo Manzur, president of the distributors’ industry association, Asocodis, estimates this could amount to CoP$2T by the end of 2023.
Read moreIn February Colombian President Gustavo Petro will file his government’s National Development Plan (known as PND for its initials in Spanish). The draft shows the importance of decarbonization.
Read moreCenit, a subsidiary of the Ecopetrol Group, reported the acquisition of the Cantayús small hydroelectric power plant (SHP), located in the municipality of Cisneros (Antioquia, Colombia).
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More power on offer should lower prices from what they might have been, but not all customers will necessarily see the benefit.
Read moreThe Ministry of Mines and Energy (MinEnergia) confirmed upcoming changes in management and coordination positions at the Vice Ministry of Energy. Here are the details.
Read moreColombians perceive they are still paying high energy prices, yet the country’s reservoirs are full, and the extended rainy season keeps them that way. Why?
Read moreOK. That is a bit exaggerated. But 2023 is officially underway and most Colombians are back from vacation. The policy-making machine is restarting, and our first Thursday Thoughts of the new year looks at what we think they will be working on.
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ISA S.A. E.S.P (BVC: ISA) reported its third quarter 2022 results. Here are the details.
Read moreThe government wants to get backlogged energy projects from previous auctions into operation, but some of these may be unfeasible.
Read moreEPM announced the contractor that will finish the civil aspect of the first stage of Hidroituango.
Read moreOur charter is to publish news on green energy, sustainability and, because it provides context, the broad Colombian electrical power sector. Lately, the traditional sector has crowded out the green.
Read moreBogotá granted Enel-Codensa an environmental license to move a substation to guarantee energy for the new subway.
Read moreThe Mining-Energy Planning Unit (UPME) announced an update to the 2020-2050 energy plan (PEN).
Read moreThe International University of Valencia conducted an analysis of renewable energies in the labor market.
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XM, operator of the National Interconnected System (SIN) and administrator of the Wholesale Energy Market (MEM), reported on the behavior of this metric in 2020. NOTE: Truncated scale
Read moreUN Secretary-General António Guterres called for an ‘urgent transition’ from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
Read moreThe global perception is that investment for green energies in Latin America is slowing down, but it seems like Colombia shows a positive outlook for the coming years.
Read moreEnel-Codensa announced the delivery of new SITP electric buses.
Read moreThe Colombian government’s blockbuster announcement that it would consider offers for its participation in the country’s long-haul transmission operator, ISA, is getting the headlines and the controversy but it appears that the government’s stake in EMSA, the main distributor on the department of Meta, is also for sale.
Read moreBusiness newspaper Portafolio says it obtained a confidential letter by a number of industry associations to the Minister of Energy saying the auction needs to be restructured, in particular it should be technologically neutral.
Read moreThe world is seeing a boom in solar energy projects, and Colombia is no stranger to this trend.
Read moreThe Ministry of Mines and Energy (MinEnergia) announced progress on Plan 5 Caribe.
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The National Association for Sustainable Mobility (Andemos) published its monthly report on the behavior of the hybrid and electric vehicle market in November 2020. Here are the details.
Read moreEcopetrol (NYSE: EC) and the government announced an agreement to promote energy transition.
Read moreThe government continues to analyze options to sell its stake in the country’s long-haul transmission operator, Interconectado Eléctrica SA (ISA). Interested companies are beginning to appear.
Read moreColombian economist, Lina Brand, explained why the energy transition process to renewable energies may not be as expensive, energetically speaking, as many thought.
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After we closed yesterday’s newsletter, the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MinEnergia) published the rules for the unconventional energy auction. Considering the importance of these rules for the Colombian energy industry, we decided to publish a special edition of the newsletter Here are the details from a MinEnergia statement, with translation by ePower Colombia.
Minenergía defines rules for the new renewable energy auction in Colombia
“Through resolutions 4-0590 and 4-0591 of July 9, 2019, the Ministry of Mines and Energy defined the rules for the new long-term renewable energy auction.
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Colombia officially started its energy transition process, and the fact that major cities like Cali and Medellín welcomed electric buses to their bus fleet, is proof of it.
Read moreThe government is looking to diversify the energy matrix with unconventional renewable energy sources. The Colombian Caribbean is positioned as one of the regions with great potential to develop these projects.
Read moreTwo Colombian companies, Celsia and Haceb, brought their innovation teams together to develop the first charging station for electric vehicles.
Read moreThe Ministry of Mines and Energy (MinMinas) discussed the relevance of water as an energy source for Colombia. The entity highlighted the role of hydraulic energy for the Colombian electricity sector.
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President Iván Duque opened the event where the government introduced the Mission of Experts that will lead Colombia’s energy transition process.
Read moreThe National Environmental Licensing Agency (ANLA) announced the creation of new sectoral environmental "agendas" in the country, in partnership with the Colombian energy sector. The entity announced a new agreement with the Association of Renewable Energies Colombia (SER Colombia)
Read moreThe development of distributed energy projects in the country continues to grow, despite the lack of a proper regulatory framework. This is what experts had to say on the matter.
Read moreThe National Association of Public Service and Communications Companies (Andesco) held the Ninth Seminar on Energy Efficiency. The association talked about this issue and presented proposals to improve energy efficiency.
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XM reported the energy consumption in March this year and the behavior of this metric was positive compared to the previous year. The company said that demand is falling in the middle scenario of the Mining and Energy Planning Unit (UPME) forecasts.
Read moreColombia aims to accelerate the diversification of its energy matrix with a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Here is how.
Read moreThe government announced the National Development Plan (PND) and some articles have aroused great interest in the energy sector. Eduardo Verano de la Rosa, Governor of Atlantico, spoke on this topic.
Read moreThe Minister of Mines and Energy (MinMinas), María Fernanda Suárez, explained the government’s plan to boost electricity coverage in the department.
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The Colombian government wants to diversify the energy matrix and renewable energies play a key role in this process. Authorities are analyzing where to develop new projects and two regions stand out thanks to their environmental characteristics.
Read moreThe Colombian government opened the door to negotiating with Naturgy, after it decided to liquidate the Caribbean’s energy distributor, Electricaribe.
Read moreA study by the Edmond de Rothschild Group showed that Colombia was the second country in the world to make the most progress in its energy transition processes during 2017.
Read moreThe world has used the resources of nature for its development and growth, but climate change has created many concerns and needs for change. Álvaro Sánchez, performed an analysis on renewable and non-renewable resources.
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Astrid Álvarez, President of the Bogotá Energy Group (GEB), spoke about the company's plans in Colombia.
Read moreThe Minister of Mines and Energy (MinMinas), María Fernanda Suárez, took the stage of the Construyendo País Forum (literally: ‘Building Country’), to talk about energy projects in the department.
Read moreThe Colombian government has announced several measures to solve the Electricaribe crisis quickly, generating much expectation among investors and local authorities. Eduardo Verano de la Rosa, Governor of the Atlantico, spoke on this topic.
Read moreThe Colombian government wants to diversify the country's energy matrix, promoting the development of projects with new energy sources. Experts spoke on this topic at the third International Renewable Energies Meeting.
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The Colombian government is committed to selling Electricaribe with the goal of boosting energy sector on the Caribbean coast. Natasha Avendaño, Superintendent of Public Services, together with representatives of the government and local authorities, talked about this process, Electricaribe debt and the market segmentation
Read moreThe vice minister of energy, Diego Mesa, took the stage of the Third International Energy Forum to talk about the government’s achievements in favor of the industry.
Read moreItaly's Enel opened its first solar generator in Colombia, the country’s largest renewable energy plant so far.
Read moreThe United Nations (UN) created an international day to raise awareness against anti-personnel mines. Colombia started the demining process in different regions a few years ago. Companies such as the Bogotá Energy Group (GEB) have created programs to support this initiative.
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The Colombian government is promoting the diversification of the energy matrix and Unconventional Renewable Energy Sources (known locally as FNCER) play a key role in this process. Colombian authorities established a challenging installed-capacity goal for the next four years.
Read moreCompanies from the Argos group, Celsia and Odinsa, are working to bring solar energy to Colombia’s El Dorado airport.
Read moreThe Colombian government has announced several measures to solve the Electricaribe crisis, while authorities find a new operator for the firm. This process has created much expectation and Jorge Mario Velásquez, President of Grupo Argos, spoke about the company's interest in Electricaribe.
Read moreEDP Renováveis (EDPR), subsidiary of Portugal’s EDP group, entered the Colombian market and will soon develop two wind-energy projects.
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The Minister of Mines and Energy (MinMinas) will bring energy service to vulnerable families in La Guajira, with the help of firms that develop sustainable self-generation energy projects. Here are the details.
Read moreThe Caribbean region is ready to welcome a new energy cluster with the help of the Minister of Mines and Energy (MinMinas), Colombia’s Business Growth Management Unit (Innpulsa Colombia) and five local Chambers or Commerce.
Read moreThe government undertook to diversify the Colombian energy matrix, promoting the development of renewable energies. Reuters conducted an analysis on the country's potential in this issue.
Read moreIntercolombia, subsidiary of ISA, announced advances in the Chinu-Monteria-Uraba project. The company highlighted the benefits of this important project for the country and the Colombian energy sector.
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The national government, through the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MinMinas), is preparing a proposal on market participation limits for the energy sector. MinMinas will present this proposal in a debate on the National Development Plan (PND).
Read moreVice-minister of Energy (MinMinas), Diego Mesa, spoke about Colombia’s plan to keep its energy transformation process going.
Read moreThe Group spoke about its new ‘sustainable ventures’ in the country. Here are the details.
Read moreColombia is experiencing a boom in renewable energy projects at present, and these are rapidly gaining ground in the energy market. The National Environmental Licensing Agency (ANLA) announced the first environmental license for a solar project in Colombia.
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The Colombian energy market has had a very hectic start to the year with big announcements. Celsia bought some Enertolima’s assets, generating changes to the sector. Experts talked about this transaction and the market share of the industry, after this agreement.
Read moreThe reliability charge auction will bring important investments to the Caribbean Coast, through projects that will start operating in 2022.
Read moreThe Colombian government has announced several measures to solve the Electricaribe crisis quickly. Natasha Avendaño García, Superintendent of Public Services, spoke about the "roadmap" for the sale of this company.
Read moreThe controversy over the renewal of TransMilenio’s fleet was thought to be over, until the public opinion blamed buses for high pollution levels in Bogotá, following the government’s ‘orange alert’ for the city’s air quality.
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The president of the Senate’s Fifth Commission (responsible for energy issues), Senator José David Name, questioned the regulations set by the Energy Regulatory Commission (CREG) for the country’s renewable energy auction.
Read moreColombia’s first long term energy auction did not give the results expected by the Minister of Mines and Energy (MinMinas). What comes next?
Read moreThe Ministry of Mines and Energy (MinMinas) held a reliability auction to guarantee the energy supply in the coming years. This was a separate and distinct process from the long-term renewables auction held at the same time, which resulted in no transactions.
Read moreTermocandelaria Power Limited (TPL) participated in the energy auction carried out by the Colombian government with excellent results. The company is positioned as one of the main power generators in the country.
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