Colombia’s path toward a cleaner and more competitive energy system is facing a financial and regulatory race against time.
Read moreThe department of Atlántico is positioning itself as one of Colombia’s main engines for the national energy transition, following strong support from the Ministry of Mines and Energy and new collaborations with international offshore wind companies.
Read moreA few weeks ago, I wrote an article about the needs of the many and the needs of the few, using this idea to talk about the ability of small groups to prevent energy investments that are vital for “keeping the lights on”. Recently, I came upon an article about the French government’s frustrating attempts to move the inhabitants of Miquelon to safety and that got me thinking about North America’s St. Lawrence Seaway where the Ontario government moved 7,500 people to make way for a hydro dam.
Read moreThe Colombian government pushed back against recent warnings from the Comptroller General’s Office about the country’s energy stability, asserting that “energy security is not at risk” and inviting the oversight body to a joint technical meeting to review data and progress.
Read moreDuring the Central America–European Union Business Forum, Colombia’s Minister of Mines and Energy (MinEnergia), Edwin Palma, highlighted the renewed confidence the European Union (EU) has placed in Colombia’s role in the global energy transition.
Read moreIn Colombia’s Congress, urgency often overshadows importance, and that may explain why the government’s flagship energy reform bill, aimed at reducing electricity tariffs, remains stalled.
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Bogotá is gearing up for an electric transformation. The city will soon feature a fast-charging station for electric vehicles every two kilometers under the ambitious project “Bogotá 2Km: Energía que te encuentra.”
Read moreA confidential report delivered to Colombia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy (MinEnergia) by XM, operator of the country’s electricity market, has set off alarm bells across the energy sector.
Read moreColombia’s energy transition will not mean the immediate disappearance of fossil fuels.
Read moreThe Colombian government has authorized electricity distributors in the Caribbean region to postpone planned infrastructure investments; a move officials say is meant to prevent service disruptions, but one that industry experts warn could worsen the country’s long-term energy reliability.
Read moreIn a step toward cleaner energy and sustainability, Colombia’s Ministry of Defense (MinDefensa) and Empresas Públicas de Medellín (EPM) have signed an agreement to install a large-scale solar panel system at the Fortaleza Building, the ministry’s main administrative complex in Bogotá.
Read moreColombia’s Caribbean coast faces a troubling paradox: thousands of families have access to electricity, yet most do not pay for it. In so-called “electrically illegal” neighborhoods, informal settlements recognized by law since 2003 for their precarious conditions, the regional utility Afinia collects only about 5% of their monthly billing, translating into annual losses exceeding CoP$300B.
Read moreRenewable energy, private-sector alliances, and workforce development have become the driving forces behind Barranquilla and Atlántico’s transformation into one of Colombia’s most dynamic regions.
Read moreThe Ministry of Mines and Energy (MinEnergia) is preparing a landmark resolution to replace wood- and coal-burning stoves across Colombia with clean energy alternatives powered by natural gas and solar energy, a move that blends the country’s social justice agenda with its energy transition goals.
Read moreColombia has approved a historic CoP$8.3T investment plan to install solar panels in low-income households, marking the country’s most ambitious renewable energy initiative to date.
Read moreColombia has taken a decisive step toward a modern, interoperable electric mobility system.
Read moreIn the first half of 2025, Enel Colombia transferred nearly CoP$2.7B to the departments of Atlántico and Cesar as part of the country’s electric sector transfers for solar energy generation in 2024. The funds, mandated by national law, are intended for public investment projects in infrastructure, utilities, and basic sanitation.
Read moreCryptocurrency mining company Cryptogranjas is targeting Latin America as a major expansion zone, selecting four countries for operational growth based on their energy-infrastructure advantages.
Read moreColombia’s new energy reform bill, recently introduced in Congress by the Ministry of Mines and Energy, has sparked deep concern among industry leaders.
Read moreColombia’s electricity system is heading toward a breaking point that could trigger nationwide power shortages, or even a blackout, by 2027, unless urgent action is taken to expand generation, storage, and transmission capacity.
Read moreEnergy mega batteries, or Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) have become the new backbone of the global power grid. These massive installations store surplus solar and wind energy produced during the day and release it during peak hours, ensuring stability in increasingly renewable-dependent systems.
Read moreAfter months of uncertainty and delay, Colombia’s long-awaited Energy Tariff Law, officially titled “Fair Regulation and Democratization of the Energy Sector,” was introduced to Congress on October 21 by Mines and Energy Minister (MinEnergia) Edwin Palma.
Read moreColombia’s electric mobility revolution is moving faster than ever, but the country’s charging infrastructure is struggling to keep up.
Read moreThe Energy and Gas Regulation Commission (CREG) approved two temporary measures aimed at increasing the operational flexibility of Colombia’s National Interconnected System (SIN), particularly in the Caribbean region, where the country faces its most significant electricity constraints.
Read moreColombia is emerging as one of Latin America’s leaders in electric vehicle (EV) sales, yet its charging infrastructure has long lagged demand. That issue, however, is beginning to change.
Read moreThe administration of President Gustavo Petro has issued Decree 1091 of 2025, setting out a new framework for long-term energy contracting in Colombia.
Read moreThe Colombian government has issued a new decree aimed at stabilizing electricity tariffs and limiting energy costs for households amid rising price volatility and climatic pressures such as the El Niño phenomenon.
Read moreColombia’s electricity sector is facing a new rift between the government and energy producers after the Colombian Association of Electric Power Generators (Acolgen) denounced the recently issued Decree 1072 of 2025, which forces hydroelectric companies to contract at least 95% of their generation through long-term agreements rather than selling freely on the energy exchange.
Read moreThe Colombian government is moving forward with plans to update the national electricity pricing formula, aiming to ensure greater fairness and stability in tariffs across the country.
Read moreThe Colombian government announced new measures to ensure the country’s energy stability following the extended maintenance of the SPEC regasification terminal, a key facility for supplying natural gas to the national grid, particularly in the Caribbean 2 region.
Read moreDespite recent optimism from the government, Colombia remains far from meeting the core requirements to become a full member of the International Energy Agency (IEA), one of the world’s most influential energy organizations.
Read moreColombia and the European Union (EU) reaffirmed their strategic partnership this week during the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels, in a high-level meeting between President Gustavo Petro and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Read moreThe Mining and Energy Planning Unit (UPME) authorized 45 generation, self-generation, and cogeneration projects across Colombia to temporarily deliver surplus energy to the National Interconnected System (SIN).
Read moreDuring his official visit to Europe, Colombian President Gustavo Petro met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, calling for greater European investment in South America, particularly to accelerate the development of clean energy projects across the region.
Read moreColombia’s Mining and Energy Planning Unit (UPME) unveiled a detailed roadmap to connect offshore wind projects to the national grid within three years, through Circular 070, marking a decisive step in the country’s offshore wind development strategy.
Read moreColombia’s first offshore wind auction, officially launched during COP-28 in 2023, has entered its defining stage after nearly two years of regulatory fine-tuning and technical adjustments.
Read moreAfter weeks of public criticism from President Gustavo Petro, energy system operator XM released the results of an independent audit showing no regulatory breaches during 2022 and 2023.
Read moreColombia’s energy sector is sounding the alarm: without rapid action, the country could face power shortages and rolling blackouts by 2026.
Read moreThe Caribbean coast of Colombia faces a growing risk of gas rationing as thermal power plants in the region have secured only 35% of the gas needed to operate during the scheduled maintenance of the SPEC regasification terminal in Cartagena, set for October 10–14.
Read moreColombia’s Mining and Energy Planning Unit (UPME) has issued a new resolution expanding the range of goods and services eligible for tax incentives under Laws 1715 of 2014 and 2099 of 2021, in a move designed to attract more private investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and hydrogen projects.
Read moreColombia’s Senate is moving forward with a bill to fast-track environmental licensing for clean energy projects, a reform that could redefine how the country balances environmental protection with its energy transition goals.
Read moreColombia has secured fresh momentum for its energy transition with a US$138.5M credit line from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), signed through the National Development Finance Agency (FDN).
Read moreI recently attended the annual ENERCOL conference, put on by ACIEM, the Colombian association of electrical engineers. The two days were packed with information and interesting presentations, too dense to cover completely. Here, I will talk about the serious challenges the speakers identified and my views on perhaps the most difficult barrier to their resolution.
Read moreColombia’s Energy and Gas Regulation Commission (CREG) issued Resolution 101 082 of 2025, introducing new rules for how state-intervened power companies can directly contract energy.
Read moreThe Colombian government has intensified its dispute with the power sector over soaring electricity prices, accusing hydroelectric companies of speculation despite high water levels and a recently updated pricing formula from the Energy and Gas Regulation Commission (CREG).
Read moreColombia’s auto market posted strong growth in September 2025, with 24,894 new vehicle registrations, a 45.2% year-on-year increase. The surge was driven by cleaner technologies, as hybrid and electric vehicle (EV) sales jumped from 118 units in September 2024 to 706 this year, a staggering 498% increase.
Read moreColombia’s efforts to expand its electricity supply are being hampered by mounting bottlenecks in transmission infrastructure, regulation, and social licensing, raising concerns over the country’s ability to meet rapidly growing demand.
Read moreColombia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy (MinEnergia) will launch a regulatory review aimed at cutting gas transportation costs by up to 50% on routes such as Bogotá–Cartagena, Minister Edwin Palma announced during a visit to Cesar.
Read moreColombia is steadily expanding its solar and wind energy projects, with the Caribbean emerging as a natural hub thanks to its strong winds and high solar radiation. The region has the potential not only to supply the country’s energy demand but also to generate surplus for export.
Read moreColombia’s energy sector is sounding alarms over the risk of shortages and rationing from 2026 unless new capacity is urgently added. With demand steadily climbing and projects entering service far below expectations, industry leaders argue that the new expansion auction announced by the Energy and Gas Regulatory Commission (CREG) will be pivotal.
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The long-awaited electricity interconnection between Colombia and Panama, a 500-kilometer, 400-megawatt high-voltage line, remains stuck in planning, with experts warning that Colombia’s own energy deficit has become the main obstacle to progress.
Read moreThe latest Pulso Eléctrico 2025 survey, conducted by Arteaga Latam, has confirmed overwhelming public support for renewable energy in Colombia, with solar and wind emerging as the clear favorites for expansion.
Read moreThe government’s proposal to make Gecelca the electricity operator for Atlántico, Magdalena, and La Guajira following the liquidation of Air-e has sparked strong criticism from business leaders and energy experts.
Read moreAt the International Summit on Sustainability and Environmental Innovation in Bogotá, Renting Colombia showcased its progress and challenges in advancing energy transition across Latin America’s mobility sector.
Read moreAt the 19th Environmental Seminar, the National Association of Public Services Companies (Andesco) issued a stark warning: recent fiscal and regulatory shifts, particularly changes to the carbon tax, could jeopardize Colombia’s progress on sustainability, energy transition, and natural resource protection.
Read moreColombia’s growing reliance on imported natural gas could hit consumers hard, with household bills projected to increase by as much as 44% in the coming years, according to new data.
Read moreColombia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy (MinEnergia) released guidelines for the implementation of Colombia Solar, a program aimed at helping small businesses in the popular economy adopt clean energy solutions.
Read moreColombia’s government has unveiled a draft regulation that could reshape the country’s energy tariffs by formally integrating battery storage systems into the national electricity market.
Read moreColombia’s government has moved to secure electricity supply in the Caribbean during October maintenance at the Cartagena regasification plant, yet the decision could trigger an “imminent” rationing of natural gas for industry.
Read moreColombia’s government confirmed progress on the long-discussed electricity interconnection with Panama, a project it says will strengthen energy security while facilitating the export of clean power. The announcement came during a session of the Latin American and Caribbean Parliament.
Read moreOnce again, the Colombian Caribbean faces the threat of gas shortages and possible energy rationing.
Read moreColombia’s Constitutional Court has upheld the validity of a controversial regulation governing electricity service in the Caribbean region, while setting strict limits on its application.
Read moreThe Colombian Association of Large Industrial and Commercial Energy Consumers (Asoenergía) warned against the government’s plan to impose a 20% contribution on industrial energy users, excluding manufacturers.
Read moreThe Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), a renewables-focused initiative supported by Jeff Bezos’ Earth Fund, plans to channel US$7.5B into clean energy projects across developing countries over the next five years.
Read moreAmid growing concerns over possible energy rationing in Colombia’s Caribbean region, the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MinEnergia) insisted that supply will be guaranteed during the scheduled maintenance of the SPEC LNG regasification plant in Cartagena this October.
Read moreSince August 1, a group of farmers in Ubalá, Cundinamarca, has blocked the road connecting the town with Gachalá, preventing Enel Colombia from moving equipment needed for critical maintenance at the El Guavio hydroelectric plant.
Read moreColombia took another step toward diversifying its energy mix after the National Environmental Licensing Authority (ANLA) granted approvals for two strategic projects: the AES Solar 3 solar park in Tolima and the Huila 230 kV substation with its associated transmission lines.
Read moreThe chronic electricity crisis in Colombia’s Caribbean region remains one of the sector’s most pressing challenges, with utility companies Air-e and Afinia struggling under rising debts, poor collections, and stalled investment.
Read moreThe National Directorate of Taxes and Customs (DIAN) has taken a historic step toward sustainability by installing solar plants at its offices in Cartagena.
Read moreAt the Oil, Gas and Energy Forum held in Barrancabermeja, organized by Ecopetrol (NYSE: EC) and the USO, the central theme was once again the country’s energy transition and the push for decarbonization. The consensus among panelists seemed clear: Colombia must accelerate its shift toward renewable energy.
Read moreColombia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy (MinEnergia) issued Resolution 40358 of August 20, 2025, setting new guidelines for the coexistence of hydrocarbon, mining, and energy projects when partial or total overlap of areas occurs.
Read moreColombia’s Mining and Energy Planning Unit (UPME) issued Resolution 000749 of September 3, 2025, introducing a new framework for registering generation, cogeneration, self-generation, remote self-generation, and distributed generation projects in the National Interconnected System (SIN).
Read moreThe President of Colombia’s National Association of Energy Generating Companies (Andeg), Alejandro Castañeda, raised alarms over a potential electricity shortage if the 2026 reliability charge auction fails. The auction, scheduled for March 24, 2026, seeks to secure firm energy for the 2029–2030 period.
Read moreAt the first Ecopetrol–USO Forum on Oil, Gas, and Energy Transition, Luciano Sanín, Chief of Staff at Colombia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy (MinEnergia), outlined the government’s main strategies to transform the national energy mix.
Read moreAs Colombia’s Energy Minister (MinEnergia) Edwin Palma faces investigations over alleged irregularities during his oversight of power distributor Air-e, local leaders in Barranquilla and Atlántico have floated a bold proposal: taking control of the troubled utility themselves.
Read moreColombia’s Mining and Energy Planning Unit (UPME) reported a significant increase in applications for tax incentives supporting renewable energy projects, underscoring the growing role of fiscal tools in advancing the government’s energy transition agenda.
Read moreColombia’s Attorney General’s Office requested the Supreme Court open an investigation into Energy and Mines Minister (MinEnergia) Edwin Palma over alleged cost overruns in contracts signed during his tenure as government-appointed overseer of power distributor Air-e.
Read moreColombia and Panama took another step toward regional energy integration as Colombia’s Energy and Gas Regulatory Commission (CREG) met with Panama’s National Authority of Public Services (ASEP) to advance regulatory harmonization for a planned cross-border electricity link.
Read moreGeophysical surveys in Paipa, Boyacá, point to a promising geothermal resource that could meaningfully support Colombia’s energy transition, according to the National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH).
Read moreColombia’s leading energy and gas trade associations warn that the country faces a CoP$8.9T subsidy funding shortfall across 2025–2026, risking pressure on household bills and company balance sheets if not addressed.
Read moreColombian news site CAMBIO alleges that Air-e, the state-intervened electricity distributor for the Caribbean coast, paid artificially steep markups for essential equipment, most notably power transformers, under an outsourced purchasing scheme created while Edwin Palma served as government-appointed interventor (October 2024–March 2025).
Read moreColombia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy (MinEnergia) announced the creation of a permanent working committee to confront the Caribbean region’s electricity crisis.
Read moreColombia and Germany have strengthened their strategic alliance to position Colombia as a regional leader in the renewable hydrogen transition.
Read moreThe Colombian government announced a major step to address long-standing concerns over electricity costs in the Caribbean coast.
Read moreThe long-awaited electrical interconnection between Colombia and Panama, a US$800M mega-project, is set to be completed and operating within three years, according to Jorge Andrés Carrillo, president of Interconexión Eléctrica S.A. (ISA).
Read moreThe Colombian Association of Electric Power Generators (Acolgén) called on the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MinEnergia) to review recent regulatory measures that, according to the industry, are discouraging investment in the country’s electricity sector.
Read moreIn Colombia’s Caribbean region, 1,686 users are now producing their own energy, and requests for self-generation projects surged by 60% in 2025, according to Air-e Intervened.
Read moreColombia’s Ministry of Finance (MinHacienda) submitted its latest tax reform to Congress, a bill that includes two key chapters aimed at strengthening the country’s energy transition and improving electricity efficiency.
Read moreColombia’s government is preparing a new decree to create a special licensing procedure for wind energy projects, aiming to streamline approvals and boost renewable investment while maintaining strong environmental and social safeguards.
Read moreColombia’s energy transition is moving forward, but in the wrong direction. That is the warning raised by Amat Zulugua, Director of the Caribbean Energy Transition Observatory, who argued that the country is dangerously behind in its planning and strategy for diversifying its energy matrix.
Read moreColombia has introduced new rules to regulate how companies and individuals generate their own electricity and connect it to the national grid.
Read moreInternational ratings agency Fitch Ratings warned that the Colombian government’s proposed reforms to the Reliability Charge, a mechanism designed to guarantee reliable electricity supply, could heighten the risk of future power shortages.
Read moreColombia’s electricity sector is ringing alarm bells once again, as mounting government debt on energy subsidies threatens the financial stability of companies and the continuity of service for millions of users.
Read moreColombian companies are bracing for higher operating costs after the government unveiled a draft decree that would reimpose a 20% energy surcharge on several productive sectors, to shore up funds for subsidies benefiting households in lower-income brackets.
Read moreThe Petro administration announced a draft decree that could reintroduce higher energy tariffs for several economic sectors, reviving the 20% solidarity contribution originally created in the 1990s to finance subsidies for low-income households.
Read moreAt the opening of the 12th Andeg Energy Forum, Alejandro Castañeda, President of the National Association of Generating Companies (Andeg), warned that Colombia urgently needs to boost its power generation capacity by between 2,500 and 3,000 megawatts by 2028 to prevent a severe electricity crisis.
Read moreColombia is betting on fiscal policy as a lever to accelerate its energy transition, combining tax incentives, financing programs, and regulatory support to expand clean energy adoption across the country.
Read moreColombia’s Energy and Gas Regulatory Commission (CREG) confirmed that a new Cargo por Confiabilidad auction will begin “in the coming days,” covering the 2029–2030 period. The mechanism, in place for decades, is designed to guarantee reliable long-term energy supply for the country.
Read moreEdwin Palma, Colombia’s Minister of Mines and Mines (MinEnergia) and former special agent in charge of intervening Air-e, is facing mounting scrutiny after revelations of nepotism, alleged manipulation of financial figures, and questionable use of public funds during his tenure.
Read moreThe Colombian government cleared the way for offshore wind energy to enter the national electricity grid, marking a milestone in the country’s clean energy transition.
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