2024-04-13 18:34:52
This farm, which has 40,146 solar panels, will have a capacity of 22.1 megawatts and will be able to deliver up to 34.4 million kilowatt hours annually, which is equivalent to the consumption of 18,200 homes in Colombia.
Located on a 19.9 hectare plot of land, this plant, the first of its kind in Latin America within a refinery, represents a milestone in the progress towards sustainability and the reduction of polluting emissions. The solar farm is expected to contribute to the reduction of approximately 21,000 tons of CO2 per year, equivalent to taking about 5 million 200 thousand vehicles off the road in Bogotá for three days.
The construction of this solar infrastructure not only represents progress in environmental terms, but also a boost for the regional economy. They participated in their construction 370 people from the Caribbean region, including 185 women, which represent 50% of the total number of employees. These people were trained in courses on solar panel installation and photovoltaic energy generation, supported by Ecopetrol.
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The solar farm of the Cartagena Refinery enters into operation in two phases: Initially, 4 megawatts will be brought online, followed by the rest of the capacity in a second phase. This initiative is especially relevant at a time when the country is facing the El Niño phenomenon, since it will allow self-generation to be replaced with gas in refinery operations.
Also present at the opening ceremony were the president of Ecopetrol, Ricardo Roa Barragán, the Minister of Mines and Energy, Andrés Camacho Morales, the manager in charge of the refinery, Edna Guerra Pacheco, as well as departmental and municipal authorities. The Cartagena Refinery Solar Farm represents a significant step towards a more sustainable and energy independent future for Colombia.
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