2024-09-17 00:27:37
The project seeks to transform energy access and management in various regions of the country, with a focus on those that have historically been excluded from the interconnected system.
The National Government, through the Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Fund for Non-Conventional Energy and Efficient Energy Management (Fenoge), has announced the start of the contracting process for the implementation of energy communities in Colombia. This initiative is part of the key strategy of Gustavo Petro’s government to diversify the energy matrix and accelerate the transition towards renewable sources, promoting a more inclusive and sustainable model.
The energy communities project seeks to transform energy access and management in various regions of the country, with a focus on those that have historically been excluded from the interconnected system. The executive director of Fenoge, Ángela Álvarez, said that ambitious goals have been set, such as the implementation of renewable energy projects in 500 energy communities during the remainder of 2024 and in 2025. These communities will be distributed across several regions, including the Atlantic, Pacific, Andean and Orinoquía.
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Non-interconnected areas
A highlight of the project is that 40% of the benefited energy communities are located in Non-Interconnected Zones (ZNI), territories that have historically been marginalized from stable electricity supply. This approach aims to close territorial inequality gaps in energy matters, improving the autonomy of these regions and strengthening their economic development.
The Minister of Mines and Energy, Andrés Camacho, highlighted the importance of this model during a recent meeting with 11 organizations from San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina, where they discussed how energy communities can support the popular economy on the islands. “We met with local organizations to begin the path towards energy transition, putting the community at the center and strengthening productive projects in fishing, tourism and agriculture,” Camacho said.
What are energy communities?
Energy communities represent a model of association in which individuals or legal entities cooperate to manage and use energy services through a private contract. This form of organization allows users to have greater control over the production and consumption of energy, which in turn contributes to environmental sustainability and local development.
Angela Alvarez, executive director of Fenoge, expressed the government’s commitment to this initiative, stating: “This is a great challenge and we are proud to take it on, because for us energy is not an end in itself, but a means to transform the lives of Colombians.”
With this project, Gustavo Petro’s government reinforces its commitment to an inclusive and equitable energy transition, which not only diversifies the country’s energy matrix, but also seeks to positively impact the living conditions of thousands of Colombians in marginalized territories.
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