After nearly three years of slow progress, Colombia’s energy communities program is finally starting to take shape, though not without criticism.
Read moreA sweeping energy theft operation has been exposed across the Colombian departments of Atlántico, Magdalena, and La Guajira, where electricity provider Air-e has launched a series of technical interventions to dismantle illegal connections and manipulated meters.
Read morePalma and Petro. Petro and Palma. The (not so) new Energy Minister Edwin Palma comes from Ecopetrol with a stint as Vice Minister of Labor and, more recently, as the “intervenor” in beleaguered Caribbean power distributor, Air-e. If he learned anything from these experiences, he seems have suppressed it to follow President Gustavo Petro’s whims. We will all suffer a black eye for the consequences.
Read moreThe government appointed Karen Schutt Esmeral as its new Deputy Minister of Energy, marking a significant leadership change within the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MinEnergia).
Read more
The energy sector in Colombia remains under scrutiny as several companies post electricity rates significantly above the national average.
Read moreIn a critical move to avert further strain on Colombia’s electricity sector, the national government has pledged to disburse CoP$400B (approx. US$100M) to partially pay off the mounting energy subsidy debt owed to distribution companies.
Read more
Electricity generation in Latin America and the Caribbean rose by 5.5% in 2024 compared to the previous year, driven by increased energy access and growing electrification in industries, according to Andrés Rebolledo, Executive Secretary of the Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE).
Read moreColombia has made significant strides in boosting its unconventional renewable energy capacity, increasing its share of total electric generation from 2% to 10% in just a few years.
Read moreColombia’s energy and gas sector calls for institutional respect, long-term planning, and financial stability amid mounting pressure from the government.
Read moreThe Colombian Association of Electric Power Generators (Acolgen) responded firmly to recent statements by Energy Minister Edwin Palma, who questioned how electricity prices are set in Colombia’s energy exchange.
Read moreIn an announcement that sent a jolt through Colombia’s energy sector, President Gustavo Petro said that the government will forcibly intervene in the electricity market, accusing power generators of overcharging and exploiting the system.
Read more
Just as we made our last check for the quarterly roundup of rail transport-related articles, MinTransporte announced a winner for the country’s first PPP (Public Private Partnership) for the core rail line up the Magdalena River.
Read moreWorkers from Afinia's Bolívar, Sucre, Córdoba, and César branches have sent a letter to the new Minister of Mines and Energy (MinEnergia), Edwin Palma, expressing their support for his appointment and urging him to consider their previous request, which was also submitted to his predecessor, Andrés Camacho, and relevant oversight agencies.
Read moreThe announcement by Colombia’s Minister of Mines and Energy (MinEnergia), Edwin Palma, regarding a new expansion auction has been well received by the energy sector.
Read moreColombia’s Minister of Mines and Energy, Edwin Palma, announced at the Colombia Genera Congress organized by ANDI that the National Government and the Energy and Gas Regulation Commission (CREG) are advancing a process to launch a new energy auction in the country.
Read moreEdwin Palma, Colombia's Minister of Mines and Energy (MinEnergia), dismissed concerns about potential blackouts, assuring that the country has enough energy supply to prevent rationing.
Read moreThe growing gap between energy supply and demand in Colombia has raised alarms among industry experts.
Read moreColombia faces increasing concerns about its electricity supply as demand continues to grow while the expansion of energy generation struggles to keep pace.
Read moreElectricity prices in Colombia have surged 58.8% over the last five years, prompting the national government to implement measures aimed at reducing costs.
Read moreThe operator of Colombia’s National Interconnected System (SIN) and Administrator of the Wholesale Energy Market (MEM), XM, has revealed new details about the implementation of the CREG 101 066 of 2024 and 101 069 of 2025 resolutions, designed to reduce energy tariffs in the country.
Read moreLess than a year after the Colombian government intervened in energy provider Air-e, electricity tariffs in the Caribbean region have shown a downward trend, according to a recent report from the Energy and Gas Regulatory Commission (CREG).
Read moreThe Inspector General’s office issued a document as part of its efforts to ensure an energy transition that balances energy sovereignty with the environmental, social, and economic impacts of energy projects in Colombia.
Read moreSolar energy has gained significant traction in Colombia as a sustainable and cost-effective solution to reduce electricity bills while minimizing environmental impact.
Read moreOur eye was caught by a Presidencia news release saying 10% of the energy Colombians consume was already solar. We were pretty sure that was “inaccurate” to be polite so we checked. It isn’t. But the fault mostly lies with Presidencia’s press team because the body of the press release is not as much of an “inaccuracy”, again to be polite.
Read more
Bogotá’s mayor says water rationing in the city will end in April, less than two months away. We look at the data and wonder why?
Read moreEcuador’s government has unveiled an ambitious plan to add approximately 8,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity generation between 2025 and 2030.
Read more
The Colombian energy market experienced a decline in wholesale electricity prices in January 2025, according to a report released by XM.
Read moreThe Colombian Ministry of Mines and Energy (MinEnergia) reaffirmed the "secure supply of energy" for all Colombian.
Read more
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa recently claimed that Ecuador is selling electricity to Colombia, but officials from both countries seem to disagree.
Read more
The Petro government has put virtually all its “eggs” in a solar basket, relying almost exclusively on rooftop or community solar for growth. These have indeed grown in quantity but very little or none translates into additional capacity for the grid.
Read more
In Bogotá it rains every afternoon, heavily. In the hydro dam reservoirs it is not raining or at least not enough to compensate for the XM’s use of hydroelectric power. Porce III only operating at 40% does not help with power generation.
Read moreThe Porce III hydroelectric plant in northern Antioquia is facing significant threats due to unauthorized mining activities that have compromised its infrastructure and increased the risk of environmental hazards.
Read moreThe Inspector and Comptroller General formally requested that the Minister of Mines and Energy (MinEnergia), Andrés Camacho, provide detailed accounts regarding the delayed energy subsidies for households in strata 1, 2, and 3.
Read moreThe Inspector General’s Office called upon governors, city and municipal mayors, and decentralized entities to take immediate and medium-term actions to mitigate risks in energy service provision. The governors responded with a letter addressed to other entities.
Read more
Energy consumption per capita is a key indicator of a country's level of development, industrialization, and quality of life. In this metric, Colombia ranks among the lowest both globally and in Latin America.
Read moreColombia's energy crisis prompts urgent discussions among government officials, industry leaders, and regulatory bodies.
Read moreColombian energy industry associations urged Minister of Mines and Energy (MinEnergia), Andrés Camacho, to demonstrate greater willingness to engage in dialogue and find solutions to the sector’s pressing issues.
Read moreAs part of Colombia’s energy transition, the private sector in the Atlantic Coast is playing a strategic role by implementing solar panels in production centers to reduce energy costs by up to 80%.
Read moreThe recent announcement by President Gustavo Petro regarding the payment of energy subsidies amounting to nearly one trillion pesos has provided some relief to Colombia’s energy sector. However, according to José Camilo Manzur, President of Asocodis (Colombian Association of Electric Energy Distributors), this measure does not fully resolve the severe financial crisis faced by the sector.
Read moreThe President of the National Association of Generating Companies (Andeg), Alejandro Castañeda, criticized the Colombian government for its lack of coordination with the private energy sector.
Read moreThe Colombian energy sector is facing a severe financial crisis, with debts reaching CoP$7.4T, a situation described as "critical" by industry leaders.
Read moreThe Colombian government, through the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MinEnergia), is considering the reactivation of electricity exchanges with Venezuela, which have been suspended for more than a decade.
Read moreColombia is making significant progress in expanding its solar energy capacity.
Read moreColombia’s Minister of Mines and Energy (MinEnergia), Andrés Camacho, addressed the ongoing concerns from electricity distributors and generators regarding the overdue subsidies owed by the government.
Read more
Colombia is making significant strides in its commitment to solar energy, with large-scale projects aimed at diversifying its energy matrix.
Read moreThe administrator and operator of Colombia’s National Interconnected System (SIN), XM, responded to accusations from President Gustavo Petro and his threats to intervene the entity.
Read moreJust slightly over a year ago we published a general article on geothermal energy in Colombia. We were positive saying that “Geothermal could fill the reliability gap”. Since that time, there has been some development but not as much as we hoped, unfortunately.
Read moreAlexandra Hernández, President of SER Colombia, the country's renewable energy association, provided an annual outlook highlighting key targets and investment projections.
Read moreThe National Agency for Environmental Licenses (ANLA) granted environmental viability for the construction and operation of a 230-kilovolt transmission line that will connect the Guayacanes solar generation project to the National Interconnected System (SIN).
Read moreThe energy crisis in northern Colombia is escalating, with potential power rationing set to begin in March if the government does not fulfill its financial commitments.
Read more
XM recently wrote a press release which we covered, celebrating increases in electricity generating capacity during 2024,. The very same day, we published an article with commentary by ex-MinEnergias, consultants and generation industry association, Alcogen, saying capacity was tight and rationing was a risk. One day later, the Comptroller General warned of rationing and maybe blackouts. What is the real situation?
Read moreIn 2024, XM, the operator of Colombia's National Interconnected System (SIN) and administrator of the Wholesale Energy Market (MEM), announced the commercial operation of 67 energy generation projects and 32 transmission projects.
Read moreColombia's electric sector has long been regarded as a model of reliability, boasting 32 years without blackouts. However, the industry now faces significant risks that could jeopardize this success.
Read moreThe year 2024 proved to be a turning point for Colombia’s energy sector, marked by significant challenges in electricity generation and the sustainability of gas and oil reserves.
Read moreXM, the operator of Colombia's National Interconnected System (SIN) and administrator of the Wholesale Energy Market (MEM), places innovation at the heart of its 2030 strategy.
Read more
XM, operator of the energy market, reported the water levels during December 2024.
Read moreColombia is emerging as a regional leader in adopting electric vehicles (EVs), driven by its commitment to sustainability and transportation decarbonization.
Read moreThe Colombian government, through the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MinEnergia), proposed a decree to limit the amount of energy traded on the spot market to 5%, generating a new controversy in the sector.
Read moreIn the first week of 2025, a widespread power outage in Puerto Carreño raised new alarms about the possibility of energy rationing in Colombia due to the ongoing financial crisis in the energy sector.
Read moreColombian government officials gathered in Washington, D.C., to advance the country’s energy transition agenda.
Read moreThe intervention of the energy company Air-e has taken a critical turn, shifting toward liquidation.
Read moreThe Colombian energy sector is closing 2024 with the highest tariffs in 30 years, according to the Colombian Association of Large Industrial and Commercial Energy Consumers (Asoenergía).
Read more
The Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology, and Environmental Studies (IDEAM) issued a concerning climate forecast for the last weeks of December and the first quarter of 2025.
Read moreThe Ministry of Mines and Energy (MinEnergía) recently held an information session in Sumapaz Province, Cundinamarca, aimed at fostering energy accessibility and sustainability.
Read moreThe energy provider Air-e announced that its tariffs will remain unchanged in January 2025, bringing relief to over 1.3 million users across La Guajira, Atlántico, and Magdalena.
Read moreDuring a recent visit to Colombia's Caribbean region, Yesenia Olaya, Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, emphasized the region's critical role in advancing the country's energy transition and national development plan under President Gustavo Petro's administration.
Read moreAt the recent "Vision 2025 – Tendencias Colombia" forum hosted by Prisa Media, top energy experts highlighted the pressing challenges facing Colombia’s energy sector in 2025.
Read moreIn a bid to promote renewable energy and reduce electricity costs, President Gustavo Petro recently announced a CoP$150B investment aimed at installing solar panels on rooftops in the Atlántico, Magdalena, and La Guajira regions, where the energy company Air-e operates.
Read moreA groundbreaking initiative was introduced to the Colombian Congress: the first-ever nuclear law in the country.
Read moreIn 2024, Colombia's Ministry of Mines and Energy (MinEnergia) intensified efforts to promote offshore wind energy development by fostering dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders.
Read moreValledupar Cesar, is set to embark on an ambitious project to establish a public solar energy park, aligning with the government's goal of clean and affordable energy.
Read moreThe dire financial situation of Afinia, a subsidiary of EPM, has prompted the utility company to call on the Colombian government to assume energy operations in the Cesar and Magdalena regions.
Read moreThe National Environmental Licensing Authority (ANLA) granted an environmental license for the 200 Megawatt (MW) Solar Park ‘El Espino’ located in the northeastern region of Córdoba, encompassing the municipalities of Sahagún, Ciénaga de Oro, and Pueblo Nuevo.
Read moreIn Colombia, hydropower plays a central role in the country’s energy supply. As of December 3, 2024, the net effective capacity (CEN) of the national electricity grid reached 13,206.77 megawatts (MW), with hydropower contributing nearly 62% of this total.
Read more
In 2025, Colombia will take a major step toward sustainable energy with the launch of "Colombia Solar," a government initiative aimed at providing solar energy to low-income households in strata 1 and 2.
Read moreThe Colombian government is intensifying its efforts to support the transition to cleaner energy through strategic fiscal policies.
Read moreThe Colombian government has delivered the first 80 "Casas del Sol" (Solar Houses) in the La Guajira department, benefiting 1,438 Indigenous families from local tribes.
Read moreThe National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH) has taken a significant step in advancing the country’s renewable energy transition by preliminarily qualifying eight companies for its first Offshore Wind Energy Round.
Read moreThe Ministry of Mines and Energy (MinEnergia) unveiled a complementary annex to its Transmission Expansion Plan 2022–2036, outlining a significant portfolio of projects.
Read more
With nearly a kilometer of elevated infrastructure complete, Bogotá’s long-delayed metro might actually be built. This and other stories in our quarterly update of rail and public transportation news in Colombia.
Read more
Amid concerns about Colombia's energy security raised by the Office of the Comptroller General, the Center for Renewable Energy and Water Studies (Ceera) emphasized the vital role of Small Hydroelectric Plants (SHPs).
Read moreEnel Colombia, through its Enel Green Power division, has officially launched Guayepo I & II, the largest centralized solar park in South America and a milestone for Colombia's energy transition.
Read moreExperts from the energy sector recently discussed the complex journey of Colombia’s energy transition during a forum organized by Cambio. HCC attended the event and here is a summary of the meeting.
Read moreEdwin Palma, intervention agent for Air-e, sparked controversy among thousands of users in Barranquilla after announcing a rate increase for electricity in December while simultaneously updating worker salaries.
Read moreThe Ministry of Mines and Energy (MinEnergía) and the Agency for Territorial Renewal (ART) formalized an agreement to promote a Just Energy Transition in the Middle and Lower San Juan and Lower Calima regions of Colombia.
Read moreThe Chambers of Commerce and committees of the Caribbean have presented five key proposals to the national government to tackle the ongoing energy crisis in the region.
Read more
Colombia’s energy sector stands at a critical juncture as its reliance on hydropower and fossil fuels exposes the country to significant vulnerabilities.
Read moreThe Colombian government introduced a groundbreaking reform in the energy sector through Resolution CREG 101 066 of 2024.
Read moreThe Colombian government owes approximately CoP$2.4T to energy distributors for subsidies benefiting households in the country’s lower socioeconomic tiers (strata 1, 2, and 3).
Read moreThe Colombian Ministry of Mines and Energy (MinEnergia) is moving forward with the design of a market mechanism aimed at fostering the development of offshore wind energy in the country.
Read moreThe Colombian government, through the Ministry of Finance (MinHacienda), the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MinEnergia), and the Superintendency of Public Utilities, initiated strategic actions to ensure the financial and operational stability of public energy companies Urrá, Gensa, and Gecelca.
Read moreThe Colombian government has inaugurated a new Energy Community in Barrancominas, Guainía, bringing 24-hour electricity to 405 families, predominantly from indigenous communities.
Read moreThe Colombian Energy and Gas Regulation Commission (CREG) announced three energy reconfiguration auctions to ensure the reliability of the National Interconnected System (SIN) between 2025 and 2028.
Read moreColombia’s Minister of Mines and Energy (MinEnergia), Andrés Camacho, dismissed recent rumors about his potential resignation, calling them unfounded.
Read moreIn Cundinamarca, Colombia, a heated debate is unfolding over the environmental impact of energy megaprojects on the region’s critical "Bosque de Niebla."
Read more
Latin America is uniquely positioned to lead the global energy transition thanks to abundant natural resources and improving renewable energy technologies.
Read moreA pioneering project in Cartagena is taking the first steps toward a cleaner energy transition in Colombia.
Read moreFor over 24 hours, the entrances to three hydroelectric plants in the municipality of El Colegio, Cundinamarca, have been blocked by local communities, raising concerns about potential energy shortages in Bogotá.
Read moreIn recent developments within Colombia’s energy sector, Afinia, the power distribution company owned by the EPM Group, may be on the verge of handing over its operations in the Cesar department to the government.
Read more
The Energy and Gas Regulatory Commission (CREG) announced improvements to Colombia’s National Interconnected System (SIN), signaling the end of the risk period for the reliability mechanism and its transition to a state of monitoring.
Read more