
The first historical landmark in the establishment of electric supply dates back from 1928, when Law 113 declared the exploitation of hydroelectric power of public interest. The system worked in a centralized manner, in which vertically integrated state companies maintained a monopoly in their corresponding regions. A public company, ISA, exchanged electricity among the different regional systems. [pdf]
Colombia’s power system is characterised by large installed capacity for hydropower (70% of total capacity), mostly from plants with significant reservoir capacity. VRE generation capacity, below 1% in 2017, would reach 17% by 2030 under the revised energy plan (UPME, 2018). Additional biomass power by 2030 would account for 3% of capacity.
The Inter-American Development Bank has currently one energy project under implementation in Colombia, the Porce III Hydroelectric Power Plant, owned by Empresas Públicas de Medellín and approved in October 2005. This is a US$900 million project, of which the IDB is contributing US$200 million.
In 2030 the VRE installed capacity will grow to 17%; however, Colombia will still have enough flexibility – even in dry years with limited hydropower generation – thanks to plans to greatly expand transmission capacity and to add another 2.4 GW of hydropower capacity (Ituango project) on top of the large hydro resources already in the system.
Colombia is a net power exporter. In 2005 the country exported 1.76 TWh of electricity to Ecuador (3.5% of total production). It imported only very small volumes of electricity from Venezuela and Ecuador (0.02 TWh each). According to the Ministry of Mines and Energy, exports are estimated to increase at 5 percent annually.
Figure 1 - Installed capacity by source [2021 to 2026] (source: XM S.A. E.S.P) The ongoing energy transition in Colombia is marked by three main developments: (1) the massive integration of Inverter-Based Resources (IBRs) and distributed energy resources, (2) advanced metering infrastructure deployment and (3) demand-side programs.
An interesting characteristic of the Colombian electricity sector (as well as of its water sector) is a system of cross-subsidies from users living in areas considered relatively affluent and from users consuming higher amounts of electricity to those living in areas considered poor and to those who use less electricity.

Colombia has significant solar power resources because of its location in the equatorial zone, but the country sits in a complex region of the Andes where climatic conditions vary. The daily average radiation is 4.5 kWh/m2, and the area with the best solar resource is the Guajira Peninsula, with 6 kWh/m2 of radiation.. . Renewable Energy in Colombia is rapidly emerging as a pioneer in the , showcasing a remarkable commitment to climate action despite its status as a fossil fuel-producing nation. With a robust National. . Colombia has a great biomass power potential from agricultural residues (banana, coffee pulp, and animal waste). Its annual biomass power potential is estimated to be over 16. . The wind regime in Colombia is among the best in South America. Offshore regions of the northern part of Colombia, such as in the , have been classified with class 7. . The former Colombian Institute of Electrical Energy, today IPSE, and the Latin American Energy Organization have identified three areas with potential: . • • • [pdf]
In the first renewable energy auction for the country, over 1 GW of wind power was awarded in 2019 for a 15-year power purchase agreement from 2022. Colombia has significant solar power resources because of its location in the equatorial zone, but the country sits in a complex region of the Andes where climatic conditions vary.
The potential of solar energy at a global level in Colombia is 4.5 kW h/m 2 /day and the area with an optimal solar resource is the Península de la Guajira, with 6 kW h/m 2 /day of radiation, surpassing the world average of 3.9 kW h/m 2 /day. In the referenced link , there is an interactive map of the radiation indices in Colombia by IDEAM.
In this sense, Serrano (2017b) carried out in Colombia an analysis of the use of solar energy for the future of the country as part of the general concern for the increase in the emission of polluting gases into the atmosphere and that it can boost energy supply through renewable sources.
This research work aimed to analyze the prospects for photovoltaic solar energy in Colombia. In the results, as a first measure, a conceptualization of solar energy, the development of photovoltaic panels, and the conditions required for installing this type of electricity generation module were carried out.
Colombia has world-class wind and solar energy potential and recent regulatory updates have enacted a robust framework of incentives. However, as of 2022, solar and wind have an operating installed capacity of just about 1.5% of the capacity mix. The next five years could see a sharp increase in solar and wind capacity.
The expected large deployment of wind and solar resources in Colombia can be used to leverage creation of local employment, gender equality and benefits to local communities and Indigenous peoples. This will require strengthened policy frameworks to avoid negative efects on these areas.

Renewable Energy in Colombia is rapidly emerging as a pioneer in the , showcasing a remarkable commitment to climate action despite its status as a fossil fuel-producing nation. With a robust National Energy Plan extending to 2050, the country has set ambitious targets for diversifying its by incorporating , , and resources. The nation's resolve was further solidified at with the announcement of a [pdf]
In 2021, renewable energy accounted for 25% of Colombia’s total energy supply and for 29% of final consumption, substantially above the IEA average of 14% and made up 75% of electricity generation (compared to the IEA average of 30%).
Colombia’s hydropower has low runoff storage capacity but good flexibility for balancing higher shares of variable renewables. There is high interannual variability from extreme weather events (droughts or rainfall). Availability needs to be ensured with sufficient dispatchable capacity.
In the first renewable energy auction for the country, over 1 GW of wind power was awarded in 2019 for a 15-year power purchase agreement from 2022. Colombia has significant solar power resources because of its location in the equatorial zone, but the country sits in a complex region of the Andes where climatic conditions vary.
Colombia has implemented a modern regulatory, institutional, and market scheme to diversify the energy matrix. According to the 2050 Energy Plan published by UPME, it is expected that 25% of the energy matrix will come from unconventional renewable energy sources to meet climate goals and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Aes Corporation, Meta.
Colombia has an estimated theoretical wind power potential of 21 GW just in the Guajira Department —enough to generate sufficient power to meet the national demand almost twice over. However, the country only has an installed capacity of 19.5 MW of wind energy, tapping only 0.4% of its theoretical wind potential.
Colombia has a largely decarbonised power sector thanks to the significant role of hydropower and bioenergy. Electricity demand is expected to increase as a result of economic growth and the electrification of end-use sectors, an opportunity to decarbonise the transport sector over time.
We are deeply committed to excellence in all our endeavors.
Since we maintain control over our products, our customers can be assured of nothing but the best quality at all times.